056 552 02 05 info@vev.ch

Survey on the consequences of a separation/divorce for fathers

| Alternating custody , parental custody , parental leave , alienation , department of alternating custody , department of studies , society , child contacts , separation/divorce , maintenance law

Pro Familia and VeV Switzerland
conducted a survey among fathers' organizations. About 500 fathers who have children under 25 responded.

Two thirds of the answers came from German-speaking Switzerland and a third from Latin-speaking Switzerland. 55% of responding fathers were divorced and 45% were separated. The consequences for fathers are far-reaching. They are social, psychological and financial.

The key findings of the survey are as follows:

  1. Separation and divorce have a negative impact on the social relationships between separated or divorced fathers and their children (for 83%). We consider this to be a very high number. The overwhelming majority mention a deterioration in these relationships (85%).
  2. For the vast majority of divorced or separated fathers (74%), a relationship with their children is not desirable. This lack of contact is perceived as greater when the child is still small.
  3. Agreements before the court, which usually require the funding of a lawyer, only resolve most cases when the child is still small. The older the child, the less likely these agreements are to be kept.
  4. Separations and divorces have a negative impact on the psychological and financial well-being of the overwhelming majority of fathers. All areas (psychological and financial as well as the relationship with the children) are affected.
  5. A good relationship with their children and financial aspects are the elements that separated or divorced fathers (49%) lack the most compared to their previous situation.
  6. Opinions about the compatibility of work and family are divided. About half of those surveyed believe that this compatibility has been affected, the other half do not. The factors that are most often mentioned as not promoting compatibility are: the relationship with the ex-partner and financial elements.
  7. The vast majority of children spend more time with their mother (72%). Only 19% of parents split this time evenly.
  8. Finally, the pain and difficulties that fathers experience only disappear to a small extent over time. To the survey by Pro Familia Switzerland and VeV Switzerland