Divorce is hard for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for men. While both genders can experience emotional and financial distress during divorce, studies show that men often have a harder time adjusting to the aftermath of a failed marriage.

Here are several factors which explain why divorce can be harder for men.

1. Societal Expectations

Men often face societal expectations to provide, protect, and make decisions for their family. When a marriage ends in divorce, men may feel like they have failed in their duties as a husband, father, and provider.

This can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and depression. Men may also feel like they can no longer meet the expectations of society and those around them. Therefore, they might try to seek help internally, and this can lead to a dangerous result such as suicide.

2. Losing Time with Children

Divorce often involves a custody battle for the children. Even if custody is shared equally, men may still feel like they have lost precious time with their children.

If the mother is awarded primary custody, fathers may feel like they have been unfairly treated. Losing time with children can be especially painful for men who feel like they are unable to fully participate in their children’s lives.

3. Financial Burden

Divorce can be financially devastating for both partners, but men may have a harder time bouncing back after the split.

This is especially true if the man was the main breadwinner or if the divorce settlement leaves him with a large amount of debt or ongoing payments. Men may struggle to find stable employment or may need to completely overhaul their financial plans, which can be overwhelming and stressful.

4. Lack of Emotional Support

Men may find themselves without a support network after a divorce, as they often have fewer close friends and family members to turn to for emotional support.

They may also feel pressure to hide their emotions or “be strong” in front of their children and others. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and despair.

5. Greater Stigma

Despite societal changes, there is still a greater stigma attached to divorce for men than women. Men may feel like they are judged more harshly by others for ending a marriage or for not being able to make it work.

This can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment, which can make it harder for them to move on and start new relationships in the future.

6. Legal System Bias

Finally, men may feel that the legal system is biased against them in divorce proceedings. They may feel like they are fighting an uphill battle when it comes to custody arrangements, alimony, and child support payments.

This perception of bias can lead to feelings of disillusionment and resentment.

In conclusion, divorce can be particularly challenging for men due to societal expectations, losing time with children, financial burdens, lack of emotional support, greater stigma, and perceived bias in the legal system.

Men going through a divorce should seek professional help to navigate these challenges and to ensure they are taking care of their physical, emotional, and mental health.