Significance
The outcomes of divorce on children are often discussed, yet few efforts are made to manage the situation. Specifically, the effects of fathers’ impact on children’s development being legally dismissed requires a more thorough assessment. The significance of the problem of fathers’ underrepresentation in law as parents is quite high since it is believed to be linked to a range of negative outcomes in children’s development. Specifically, studies show that divorce and the resulting lack of a supportive father figure in children’s lives often leads to mental health issues and, quite frequently, juvenile delinquency (Demir-Dagdas et al. 472). Therefore, addressing the issue is vital to ensure that children develop properly.
Two Sides
The problem of fathers missing from the picture as a result of a divorce has been addressed in some studies, yet is largely underrepresented. For instance, Demir-Dagdas et al. connect the development of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression in children to divorce (476). In turn, since divorce typically suggests that mothers are provided with full custody, the lack of the father’s support could be interpreted as a factor (Lan et al. 511). However, the current regulations have been designed to protect women and children as the demographic vulnerable to domestic violence (Kruk 392). In turn, changing the law may imply jeopardizing the safety of women and children in abusive households.
Personal Position
Personally, I believe that the subject matter needs to be addressed more thoroughly, with the rights of fathers, specifically, visitation rights and the extent of custody over children, having to be expanded. It is vital that fathers could participate in their children’s lives and contribute to their upbringing even after the divorce. Thus, a range of adverse outcomes will be avoided if the current legal standards are altered so that fathers could have greater authority in managing their children’s upbringing after the divorce. Overall, it is strongly suggested to examine the opportunities for increasing paternal involvement in raising children post-divorce.
Type of Research
In order to approach the problem of mental health issues in children due to parents’ divorce, conducting secondary research will be required. Specifically, an assessment of the available evidence concerning the effects of divorce on children and the resulting absence of a father figure in their lives must be conducted. Additionally, a qualitative case study involving the analysis of mental health issues in children of divorced parents will have to be performed.
Works Cited
Demir-Dagdas, Tuba, et al. “Parental Divorce and Children from Diverse Backgrounds: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Mental Health, Parent–Child Relationships, and Educational Experiences.” Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, vol. 59, no. 6, 2018, pp. 469-485.
Kruk, Edward. “Arguments against a Presumption of Shared Physical Custody in Family Law.” Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, vol. 59, no. 5, 2018, pp. 388-400.
Lan, Xiaoyu, Tatiana Marci, and Ughetta Moscardino. “Parental autonomy support, grit, and psychological adjustment in Chinese adolescents from divorced families.” Journal of Family Psychology, vol. 33, no. 5, 2019, p. 511.