Divorce often means that one parent does not get to see as much of the kids as before. Often, it is the father who ends up seeing less of their children.
A lack of their fathers in their lives is often quoted as a reason that so many young men end up in trouble with the law. But what about the girls? Do they suffer if they don’t see much of their dad?
Girls need their dads
Dr. Linda Nielsen has studied this theme and found that girls do much better in life with their father’s presence, not just their mom’s. Her research found that girls who did have their father in their lives grew up to be advantaged in several areas she called the 3 Ms:
- Money: They tend to get better grades and are more likely to graduate from college. This can lead to a better-paid job. They are also less risk-averse in a way that can benefit them in their career and business while also being less likely to take problematic risks with things like drugs or too much alcohol.
- Men: Dr. Nielsen believes that women who grow up with that ever-present love from their father take that with them into later life. They are not desperately seeking someone to fill that gap, and so are less likely to fall prey to an unsuitable partner.
- Mental health: Dads are often less protective in their play with their daughters than mothers might be. The girls may suffer a few ups and downs or bumps and bruises along the way, but this can leave them better prepared for future challenges life will throw at them.
Clearly, the above is not true for every couple, but it does highlight that parents should think carefully before settling on a custody plan that leaves the child seeing much less of one parent. Having legal guidance to argue why a fairer split would be in the child’s best interest can be important.