Increasing Number of Single-Parent Households Headed by Fathers

By Sheryl Rentz on August 8, 2013

According to the Pew Research Center, the number of single father households in the U.S. has steadily increased during the past few decades, from 1% in 1960 to at least 8% in 2011. The most notable explanations for the shift include the rising trend of non-marital births, as well as the consistent rate of divorce in recent years.

However, some experts suggest that changes in the current legal system and an overall evolution of how society views fatherhood to also be considerable factors in this growing trend.

While single fathers head only one quarter of all single parent families in the U.S., more than ever, the court system has supported the role that fathers can play in their children’s lives by granting equal custody to both parents. Mothers are not necessarily the only or best possible caregivers for their children in every case. So, it’s no surprise then that it is also becoming more likely that courts will side with a father for sole custody when it is in the best interest of the children.

As society’s view of gender roles slowly shifts, fathers are encouraged to take on more of the care giving duties traditionally reserved for mothers, and more women are taking on the conventional paternal role of family breadwinner. The ever-changing perception of men and women may ultimately place mothers and fathers on equal footing regarding parental responsibility and determining the best custody arrangement for the children.

If you are going through a divorce or facing a custody battle in Pennsylvania, the Montgomery County family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help you ensure that your child receives the custody agreement that is the best for his or her well being. To learn more about your legal options, call (610) 645-0100 for a free consultation.