A new study from the University of Toronto looks at certain effects that a divorce may have on children as they grow up. The study looked at groups of people whose parents had divorced before age 18 versus those whose parents had remained married. The people whose parents had been divorces were more likely than the others to have experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives. However, the difference between men and women in each category was dramatically different.

Men whose parents had divorced were up to three times as likely to have experience suicidal thoughts than other men, which the difference between the groups of women were much smaller. The authors of the study point out some factors that may help explain the results:

• Women in the general population are more likely than men to have suicidal thoughts
• Until recently, mothers were almost always awarded sole custody, and visitation rights for fathers were limited
• This lack of a father figure may have had an intense effect on young boys.

In today’s society, men are much more likely to play a greater role in their children’s lives, even after a divorce. The authors also say that the results of the study are no reason for divorcing parents to panic– the vast majority of people surveyed had no suicidal thoughts at all, and most children learn to cope with a divorce in a healthy way.

If you are considering a divorce and need assistance forming an agreeable child custody arrangement, contact the North Houston child custody and visitation attorneys at Garg & Associates, P.C. by calling 281-362-2865.