Far too often, men are cut out of their children’s lives. Part of the reason for this is that the law, whether intentionally or not, tends to favor mothers when it comes to child custody arrangements. Another reason, though, is that some mothers simply fail to tell men that they have fathered a child until years down the road. Mothers sometimes withhold visitation, too, out of concern for what the relationship could mean for their child. Sometimes even men themselves fear connecting with their children for one reason or another. But fathers are important to their children’s development. Let’s take a look at how an active father can positively impact a child’s life.
The importance of a father in a child’s life
There are many benefits to having an active father present in a child’s life. Statistics have shown that these children are less likely to drop out of school and end up incarcerated, and they generally avoid risky behaviors. But the benefits don’t stop there. Kids who have a father in their life have a greater risk of obtaining a high-paying job and developing healthy relationships. Even their IQ scores may be higher on account of their father’s presence. Some studies even suggest that active fathers are less overprotective of their children than mothers, which allows the children to safely grow and develop in certain areas.
Being proactive about being active
Sadly, far too many fathers miss out on the opportunity to play a meaningful role in their child’s life. You shouldn’t let that happen to you. If you want to be engaged with your child, then you need to be proactive in protecting your rights. You have the ability to seek visitation and even child custody modification to ensure that your child’s best interests are protected. This might mean taking legal action, but the process can be worth it if you’re serious about playing an integral role in your child’s life.
Secure the help you need
While some mothers welcome a father’s presence in a child’s life, others don’t. In these latter situations, you might face a lot of pushback, meaning that you have to know how to advocate for yourself if you hope to achieve a favorable outcome. To learn more about what you can do to competently handle your case, consider reaching out to an experienced family law professional.