In the past, divorced fathers had almost no choices. Courts almost always sided with the moms and the dads spent most of their time working to pay alimony and child-support. Custody or visitation rights were very limited. In 1997, the latest year for which statistics are available, more than 23,000 Massachusetts couples were divorced. The increase in the divorce rate has contributed to the dramatic increase in fatherless families in Massachusetts.
Research shows that the divorce of parents inflicts significant long-term trauma on children.
Nationwide, about one million children experience the divorce of their parents, reports the Heritage Foundation. Divorce today is too easy, said Bonica. No-fault divorce is the worst thing that s happened. The old way was the better way, when you had to bring up a charge against the person. Bonica added that cohabitation was illegal in Massachusetts until Gov. Michael Dukakis signed a bill that made shacking-up legally okay.