The Negative Impact of Divorce on Fathers

 Posted on November 15, 2017 in Family Law

The end of a marriage is more than just a change in relationship status. When spouses divorce, they must not only go through the complex process of dividing their property, separating their finances, finding new living arrangements, and determining how to share parental responsibilities and parenting time, but they will also need to let go of their plans for a long-term relationship with their partner and learn how to move on to an unexpected new phase of their life.

Divorce is a tough time for everyone involved, but while parents often focus on providing emotional support for their children during this difficult time, they need to take care of themselves as well.

The Effects of Divorce on Fathers

Divorce often has a major impact on men’s physical and emotional health, and this is especially true for fathers. After divorce, men’s feelings of isolation and loneliness can lead them to begin neglecting their health. They are less likely to visit the doctor and take prescription medications. This neglect can also extend to their eating habits, their caution when driving, and their use of protection during sex.

The psychological effects of divorce can be particularly hard on dads. Having less contact with their children can lead to depression, and difficult custody battles can result in resentment, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem. These mental health effects can be devastating; divorced men are eight times more likely than divorced women to commit suicide.

Resources for Divorced Dads

While the process of rebuilding one’s life after divorce is not easy, fathers do not have to do it alone. Here are some resources available to help:

• Support groups - For fathers, finding a group of others who are going through the same difficulties can be invaluable, providing them with social interaction, examples to follow, ideas for single parenting, and a community of people who can help each other out. Local support groups can be found by calling the National Parent Helpline at 1-855-427-2736 or searching on Meetup.com.
• Social services - If divorced fathers are struggling to make ends meet, they should look into what services are available to help them out, such as temporary welfare, food stamps, or organizations that provide low-income child care.
• Mental health resources - Fathers who are struggling with depression should not hesitate to contact someone for help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or searching for other free mental health programs.
• Online resources - There are a wide variety of websites, forums, and chat rooms where fathers can find information, discuss issues, and get support from others. Searching for the Single Parents Network is a good place to start, but there are many other communities available to divorced dads.

Contact a Hinsdale Divorce Attorney

If you are a father who needs help resolving any legal issues during or after your divorce, the compassionate attorneys at Martoccio & Martoccio can make sure your rights are protected and advocate for your and your children’s best interests. Contact a DuPage County divorce lawyer at 630-920-8855 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/psychological-effects-divorce-fathers-men-suicide/

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/single-dad-support-groups-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.fatherhood.org/bid/183377/4-Great-Resources-for-Single-Dads