SINGLE FATHERS WITH CUSTODY FOLLOWING SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

After years of neglect by researchers, therapists, and lawmakers, inte rest in fathering has come to the forefront. One group of fathers, tho se raising their children alone following separation or divorce, has m ore than tripled in the period between 1970 and 1990 according to the Census Bureau. The literature on single custodial fathers, a populatio n that was virtually unstudied until the 1970s, is based on both large and small samples. Comparison groups consisting of fathers without cu stody, fathers in joint custody arrangements, married fathers, widower s, and mothers with custody have been employed to further understand s ingle father families. The research shows this lifestyle to be a viabl e one despite the role ambiguity associated with it. Particular areas of difficulties for these fathers are balancing work and child care, r eestablishing a social life, and interacting with the court system. Fa thers who choose the role tend to have an easier time than those who a re forced into it. This article provides an overview of the topic and discusses the policy, practice, education, and research implications t hat the literature raises.