Valerie King, an associate professor of sociology, demography, and human development and family studies at Penn State, recently published her findings that not only do children need their fathers for healthy development, but that Step-parents play an integral role as well. Even more surprising to me was King’s acknowledgment of the unpopular belief that sometimes children are better off if their parents divorce.

Another contradiction to prior research, which believed a child with two parents in his or her life is better off than one, may not necessarily be true. Obviously a happy marriage between two parents is best for children. However, King said if there is constant turmoil between the parents, their child might be better off with just one parent in his or her life and less turbulence.

My parents divorced when I was very young. While it was difficult at different times throughout my life, there is no doubt that my siblings and I were better off. Staying together for the children in an extremely miserable or dangerous situation is neither healthy nor practical.

Kudos to Valerie King, for pointing out what so many divorced fathers and step-parents know.