How common is it for 'fathers' not to see their children?

[EleanorHandbasket]

Was just wondering really.

I'm starting to think it's the majority of separated fathers but that may be personal experience and threads here skewing my perception.

Actually, I suppose I mean non resident parents rather than fathers.

Are absent parents a minority? Make me feel better about humanity, please.

[meandcoffeeequalhappy]

My divorce lawyer told me that it was very common indeed. I don't remember the figure she quoted but it was in the range of 1/3 or 1/2 of fathers.

Humanity sucks a little when you are a small child.

But then you hear about ones who move heaven and earth to see their offpring and that makes me feel a little better about society.

[EleanorHandbasket]

God, that's horrendous.

I suppose the only upshot of that this generation of 'abandoned' children won't suffer any stigma from it.

My 10yo is incredibly blasé about it after eight years, which in itself is sad.

[queenofthepirates]

My 3yo has never met her father and is a happy little stable soul. She doesn't have arguing parents, has one set of boundaries for discipline, no chopping and changing bedrooms and no animosity. She also has a full set of adoring grandparents who would let her get away with genocide but that's another thread. A lack of a father figure is a positive in our lives.