Study Finds That the Absence of a Father May Change a Child’s Cellular Structure

 Posted on August 08, 2017 in Uncategorized

Scientists have long known that stress can cause changes the body. It can result in anxiety, decreased immunity, weight gain, weight loss, and much more. What about children, though? Are they affected the same way? A new study seems to suggest so. More specifically, the study determined that children may experience cellular changes in their bodies if their father is absent during childhood. One of the most common situations in which this absence might occur is during a divorce. Learn more about the potential adverse effects of divorce on children, including how you can help to mitigate against them, with help from the following.

A Closer Look at the Study

Published in the journal Pediatrics, the study examined the telomeres, the protective nucleoprotein end caps on chromosomes, of children who had experienced the loss of a father and then compared them to the telomeres of children who had not experienced such a loss. These structures, which are thought to be an indicator of the aging and overall health of cells, were found to be significantly shorter in children that had lost a father (14 percent). Though the exact impact of this cellular change is unknown, data from the study backs up previous research that indicates children often fare best when they have a healthy, loving, and continued relationship with both of their parents.

Mitigating Against the Damage in Divorce

Illinois made some significant changes to their divorce laws at the beginning of 2016. Most of them encourage divorcing couples to work together in the best interests of their child or children. Whether the change is directly related to studies related to children and divorce is unknown. However, it is likely that many children are enjoying improved relationships with both of their parents because of the updates. Still, there is always the risk of contention, and couples may struggle greatly in developing a comprehensive parenting plan that meets their child’s needs. As such, it is suggested that parents seek experienced legal assistance.

Contact Our DuPage County Divorce Lawyers

At J. Aldrich Law, P.C., we understand just how crucial it is to protect children during divorce. Dedicated and experienced, our DuPage County divorce lawyers can help you develop a parenting plan that will hopefully satisfy all involved parties and meet everyone’s needs. Learn more about how we can assist with your case by scheduling a personalized consultation. Call our attorneys at 630-953-3000 today.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170718142938.htm

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3700000&SeqEnd=5200000