I’ve read that 1 out of every 3 to 1 out of every 4 families are single-parent families. As stunning as that figure is, it seems real as to what I experience every day. And the majority of the single parents seem to be women, moms. I’m wondering if this is because of a prejudice in our society that children need mothers more or if it is a lack of interest/willingness on the part of many fathers.

In my personal experience, I know it was a lack of interest on the part of my ex-husband. He would participate in the requisite visits but with little enthusiasm or imagination. Sadly for my daughter, he shows much more interest in his sons from his second marriage than he ever has in her. My second husband, however, spoke vehemently about his desire to have custody of his son. He tried hard on the few visits he got. However, being an alcoholic, he was no full-time parent material for his young son.

So I guess my question is, what do you think? Does our society favor the mother in custody cases and if so, is it done unfairly?

I think women are definitely favored when it comes to divorce and custody battles and it's just such a sad thing. I really wish that it would be looked at fairly, who is better for the child? Where does the child want to be.. if they're old enough? Who can educate the child more? I think it should really be case by case. However, I have heard and seen sooooo many cases where the mother gets the kids, even though she's not 'fit' for the job.

My life is a perfect example. All my siblings have different dads than me. My mom was found as an unfit mother in 3 different court cases where a father was trying to get custody of one of my siblings, well somehow, I ended up stuck with her. I find that terribly wrong. My dad didn't have the money to fight, so they ignored me.

There were also many, many times CPS (child protective services) had been to my house to 'check' and they would look at me for about 5 seconds and say I was fine. All they seem to care about is physical abuse. But let me tell you.. emotional abuse is just as bad. I suffer from anxiety, depression and OCD. And, I don't want to sound like I blame my mom for that, because I know it's not all her, but I doubt that it helped me any along the road

Well, just look at the way that society depicts women. We're seen as mothers and providers. We're supposed to be--according to society--nurturing and caring and all of that bull. Women just have a greater chance of getting custody of the children. I think more men have left their children behind than women.

It is by nature a woman's role to care for the children. Men do not have the motherly insticts that goes with the role.