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."
Tags:
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divorce,
divorced fathers,
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Harvard University,
human resource,
men,
national survey,
ohio state university,
parenting,
resource research,
s center,
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stable family,
stepchildren
