FATHERS, DIVORCE, AND THEIR CHILDREN

To minimize many of the negative consequences of divorce, it is benefi cial to support a father's ongoing involvement in his child's life. Al though the research literature isn't unequivocal on this point, it doe s strongly suggest that men who are ''visitors'' do not have as much i mpact on their children and that visits are a poor substitute for havi ng a parental figure. The answer lies in creating meaningful roles for noncustodial fathers that elevate men's opportunities to contribute t o their children's overall development. One of the most important mess ages parents can impart to children is that some commitments outlive c hange and that working together in the child's best interests is one o f them.