During the process of getting divorced, two parents in Texas may understandably be worried about how they will approach child custody. In the past, dads were often treated as peripheral figures, with mothers taking center stage and receiving primary custody. However, today, more emphasis is being placed on allowing fathers to play active roles in their children’s lives post divorce.
According to research, divorce can actually help fathers to become better dads — a suggestion that is transforming custodial norms today. According to experts, fathers often have more varied experiences with their children following divorce. This is because when a divorced father spends time alone with the children, he has more of an opportunity to connect with the children on an emotional level — something that only the mother may have done prior to the divorce.
Research also pointed to the fact that father alienation can have negative consequences for children. Studies have hinted that children fare better after divorce if they are given regular overnight times with their dads, no matter how old the children may be. Children who are able to share equal amounts of time with Dad and Mom tend to have more self-esteem, fare better academically, and have fewer emotional and behavior problems long term.
When children are involved in a divorce proceeding, the best situation is for the parents to decide how to handle custody at the negotiation table or via mediation. This prevents them from having to fight over custody at trial, which can be stressful for the whole family. An attorney in Texas can help a divorcing spouse to seek a custody outcome that aligns with his or her wishes and, more importantly, is in the children’s best interests.
