If you are preparing to end your marriage as a father, or have already become involved in a bitter dispute over child custody during your divorce, it is vital to place the best interests of your child first and strive to safeguard your relationship with them. Unfortunately, some fathers feel hopeless while facing these challenges, wrongly believing that courts always favor the mother and they do not have a voice or the ability to secure a favorable outcome due to this favoritism.
Worse, negative emotions and stress can actually interfere with a parent’s ability to handle a custody dispute correctly. It is important to review statistics on custodial fathers, especially since this data shows that times are changing when it comes to fathers and child custody.
Data on fathers and custody
The U.S. Census Bureau states that fathers represent an increasing portion of custodial parents when compared to past years. In 2018, fathers made up 20.1% of all custodial parents. This reflects an increase when compared to 1994, in which fathers accounted for 16% of custodial parents. Although some people think that mothers always secure custody of their children, men should keep in mind that fathers represent one out of every five custodial parents in the U.S.
Navigating a custody dispute
Although a custody dispute can generate strong emotions, including anger, depression and hopelessness, it is crucial to stay calm and focused. Make sure you go over any potential resources and strategies that could help you find the most favorable end result and protect your child’s future, as well as your bond with them.