DadTalk

Third of children never see dad after divorce

one in three children never see their father again after their parents split up

More than one in three children never see their father again after their parents split up, research into family breakdown shows.

And nearly one in ten is so traumatised by the separation that they have considered suicide. Children are often used as ‘emotional footballs’ and left feeling ‘used, isolated and alone’, with many turning to drink, drugs and truanting.

Sandra Davis, head of family law at Mishcon de Reya, which carried out the survey of more than 4,000 people, said: ‘This research highlights that despite their best intentions, parents are often using their children as emotional footballs. ‘They can be seen as tangible objects. There has to be change to give our children a voice that’s meaningful.’

‘The process now encourages an adversarial approach, but it needs to be about communication between the parents. Therapeutic input, not litigation, is the answer and will reduce the emotional and financial cost of separation.’

For 38 per cent of children, separation meant they never saw their father again.

Go to the Daily Mail