Crowded Out

Presents information on a study conducted by Elizabeth Cooksey, sociology professor, that shows why divorced fathers do or do not desert their children. Why a father who does not have custody is more likely than not to stay in contact with his children; Major factor leading to men's parental disinvolvement.

By Amanda Druckman, published on November 01, 1999

COMMITMENT

It is not without reason that many divorced fathers have earned the label "deadbeat dad." A new study shows why divorced dads do or do not desert their kids.

Elizabeth Cooksey, Ph.D., a sociology professor at Ohio State University's Center for Human Resource Research, recently conducted a national survey of divorced dads. Cooksey, along with Patricia Craig, Ph.D., of Harvard University, interviewed 474 fathers, who had at least one child under 18, and then interviewed their kids; in total, 719 children participated in the study.

First, on a positive note, they report in the journal Demography that not all dads desert; the number of fathers taking custody of children after divorce is growing. And a father who does not have custody is more likely than not to stay in contact with his children after he weds again, even if he acquires stepchildren--possibly because his new home reminds him of his family.

But things change if and when he begins his own biological family "He focuses on his more stable family," explains Cooksey.

The research team found that another major factor leading to men's parental disinvolvement is geographical distance: If a father lives more than 100 miles from his children, he is less likely to visit or talk with them on the phone.

Cooksey emphasizes that "any factors leading to the displacement of a child are cause for concern."