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Factors identified that may affect fathers’ rights in Tennessee

| Nov 9, 2012 | Fathers' Rights

In the event of a divorce, there are many cases where the mother becomes the residential parent. This means that the mother and the children will live together under one roof while the father, being the non-residential parent, may be obligated to pay child support or visit the children on a schedule. This plan may seem simple but in reality, conflicts may arise between the parents and may affect the father’s rights.

However, a recent study concluded that there are other factors besides personal conflicts that may influence a non-residential father’s involvement in his children’s lives. Non-residential fathers in Tennessee may find this study particularly interesting. Researchers compared the data from 775 families involving non-resident fathers with 1,407 families with residential fathers. The findings examined whether the father’s involvement in raising a child may be influenced by the various factors in the neighborhood. Additionally, the researchers observed the relationships between parents and the father’s financial capability.

According to the study, children of non-residential fathers are more likely to live in neighborhoods where crime and violence are rampant. This may deter a father from seeing his children regularly. This kind of community may affect the children behaviorally, psychologically, emotionally and may even lead to drug or alcohol abuse.

Researchers from University of Illinois concluded that the study identified the influence of a questionable neighborhood on father-child interactions. Researchers also found that a good relationship between the parents may help to resolve challenging situations concerning the father’s rights, whether the father is lives with the child or not.

Parents are naturally concerned with the well-being of their child. With divorced or unmarried fathers, focusing on the best interests of the child is more important than the conflicts. A father who is trying to secure time with his children should make every effort to be knowledgeable about the law and his rights.

Source: Medical Xpress, “Researchers identify factors that deter nonresident fathers from child involvement,” Sharita Forrest, Oct. 26, 2012

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