Divorce is a difficult time for everyone involved. As a culture, we often assume women have a more emotional time handling changes when a marriage ends. However, men may have a harder time coping with divorce for the following reasons:
1. Smaller Support Network
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Women often prioritize their relationships with others. For this reason, it’s commonly easier for them to connect with friends and family for support throughout difficult times.
On the other hand, men showcase deep pride in their independence. During their marriage, their wife may be their primary support system. When they lose this connection, they may wonder who they can talk to about their life changes.
2. Shorter Grieving Period
After a divorce, women may seek professional help from licensed therapists. Talking through their emotions lets them grieve the end of the marriage and move on to the next phase of life in a healthy way.
Men may not seek counseling during a time of need. Because of this, they may struggle to manage overwhelming emotions. Avoiding the grief can lead to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. It can also lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like substance abuse or quickly moving on to a new relationship.
3. Loss of Identity
Throughout a life transition, women may diversify their activities and join groups to socialize with others. This can provide a sense of identity and belonging in a community.
Usually, divorce changes a man in many ways. Being a husband is a large part of their self-identification. When a marriage ends and they don’t see themselves as half of a partnership anymore, they may struggle to know who they are.
4. Seeing Children Less
Divorce can be more difficult for men than women when it comes to seeing their children. Often, the children’s mother is granted primary custody, and the man is granted limited time as a part of the custody schedule. When this happens, fathers may miss seeing their children each morning, evening and weekend.
While mothers may stay occupied taking care of child-related responsibilities, men may have more time to dwell on how they’re missing the opportunity to help their children grow up with a dad constantly at their side. And based on visitation or custody arrangements, they may not get to experience their children’s life events and milestones.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Lauren Taylor Law
In South Carolina, the law isn’t supposed to favor a mother over a father automatically. If you’d like help with your custody arrangement or other parts of your divorce, get in touch with Lauren Taylor Law today!
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.