For men in Massachusetts who are struggling over child custody concerns, there is evidence to suggest that serious harm can come from failing to adequately address one’s emotional needs. A recently released study took a look at the physical and mental health effects that divorce can bring. The results suggest that men in particular have reason to be concerned. Those who are engaged in a fight for father’s rights should take note of this research, and make a concerted effort to get the care that they need and deserve. The study, published in the Journal of Men’s Health, found that men who have divorced or are unmarried have a mortality rate 250 times that of men who are married. In many cases, premature death was caused by heart disease, stroke or hypertension. In addition, the rate of suicide among divorced men was 39 percent higher than that of married men. Divorced men were even more likely to suffer from the common cold. These findings make a significant statement about the health effects that can come from stress. Men who are going through a divorce or child custody battle should heed the unspoken warning that these and similar statistics provide, and make every effort to care for their physical and emotional well-being. Our society projects men and fathers as being tough, strong and invincible. In reality, however, the emotional trauma of a significant life event such as divorce can harm both men and women. For Massachusetts men who are struggling with

Headliner Ken Cuccinelli has been vocal about his support for father’s rights when it comes to custodial cases. As Va. Attorney General, he no longer practices law on a regular basis, but he’s well-known for his belief that men deserve more one-on-one time with their children than they get in many custody arrangements… and that it’s up to family law attorneys as well as society to be catalysts for change. Many Massachusetts dads embroiled in bitter father’s rights cases would likely agree with his assertions. Cuccinelli reportedly believes that father’s rights should be more accurately described as "family rights". From the viewpoint of his leadership experiences with Fathers for Virginia, a male-empowerment group that fights for the rights of men who want to be a part of their children’s lives, he has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for men to be able to spend time with their offspring following a separation and/or divorce. In fact, Cuccinelli’s trajectory to his current elected position has been based on his belief that father’s rights are integral to the bringing up of children in separated households. Though Cuccinelli has his detractors, namely activists who feel his platform is against the rights of women who have been abused by the fathers of their children, he stands by his tenets. He has made such strong waves that he was recently pulled away from his attorney general responsibilities to act as private counsel for a friend who was undergoing a bitter custody dispute battle. This

It’s not easy, but getting along with your ex-spouse plays a big role in being a better parent. Fathers’ rights should be seen as equal to mothers’ rights and a big part of the equation is getting along with each other for the sake of the kids. Massachusetts parents facing a divorce or recovering from one will do well to keep this in mind if they plan on making their children’s’ best interests a priority. Successful and positive communication between divorced couples is a key factor in a successful co-parenting arrangement. It can also be quite challenging when there are strained feelings at play between the divorcees. Part of the challenge is resisting the urge to let loose on your kids and tell them how you really feel about the other parent. A divorce can create feelings of uncertainty and a future outlook that can be less than positive – but these are feelings that are often harder for children to deal with and the danger lies in communicating those feelings to them. Working on yourself and dealing with your own emotional baggage can be an important first step towards making sure that you will be contributing to building a positive environment for your kids to grow up within. When kids are assured that you’re stable, they feel a sense of stability too. They also need to know that their parents care enough about them to put away the differences between each other in order to work together in their