Texans know that things can get messy in a divorce. Things can seem overwhelming at times and with emotions running high, it might be difficult to focus of what is important. For a father involved in a divorce, it is common for the primary focus to be on his children.
In the past, gender roles in the United States often dictated that the mother was the primary caretaker and housekeeper, while the father was the “breadwinner.” The father’s responsibility was working to bring home money for the family to survive. Watch any television show from the 1950’s or 60’s, and one sees how things used to be, for better or worse.
Things have changed quite a bit over the last few decades, though. And, antiquated gender roles no longer exist. Females are much more likely to enter and stay in the workforce, following the birth of a child, and it is common for fathers to stay home and care for the children. As society evolves and gender roles altered, the importance of a father in the upbringing of his child is finally generally recognized.
Children often adopt the characters of their fathers, and these qualities are likely to extend throughout a child’s development and into adulthood. A strong relationship between a father and his child will reap not only mental and emotional benefits, but also cognitive and behavioral benefits.
Accordingly, father seeking child custody, in the event of a divorce, is more common than ever. If one finds themselves in that situation, it may be wise to reach out to a family law.
Source: Huffington Post, “The Important Role of Dad,” By Dr. Gail Gross, June 12, 2014
