If you are thinking about getting divorced or recently ended your marriage and you have kids, it is important to carefully go over child custody issues. Aside from reviewing your options and doing everything in your power to protect the best interests of your child, you should also keep in mind that many other parents find themselves in this position.
Whether you worry about your age, gender or financial status, examining data on custodial parents can provide confidence and serve as a reminder that many other parents find themselves in this position. Regardless of your circumstances, it is essential to do what you can to secure the most favorable outcome with respect to child custody.
Statistics on custodial parents in the U.S.
According to Census Bureau data, 21.9 million kids under the age of 21 had a parent living in another household during April 2018, and 12.9 million custodial parents took care of these children. During 2018, mothers accounted for 79.9% of these custodial parents, while fathers represented 20.1% of custodial parents. On average, custodial fathers were older than custodial mothers. Among custodial fathers, 54.6% were over 40, compared to 41.6% of custodial mothers.
During 2017, 24.1% of custodial parents with kids under 21 lived in poverty, 10.5% higher than all families who had kids under 21.
Addressing child custody matters
It is crucial to prioritize custody matters during and after a divorce. Whether you go over factors that courts review when awarding custody or you need to enforce a court order because your child’s other parent is not cooperating, it is crucial to understand your options and assert your rights.