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Why Some Divorced Men End Up Alone in Old Age, According to Science

Researchers found that divorced men often lose contact with their adult children over time, leaving them with less family as they age.

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When some men got divorced in their 30s or 40s, they probably weren’t thinking about who would drive them to doctor’s appointments when they’re 80. Now, decades later, they’re finding out the kids they lost touch with aren’t really interested in picking up.

Researchers at Spain’s University of Granada heard stories like this while interviewing older divorced and separated adults living on their own. Some fathers had moved away after their marriages ended, gradually losing contact with their children as the years passed. One 85-year-old hadn’t seen his kids since 2013. “That’s hard, but what can I do?” he said.

The mothers in the study had their own struggles. Many raised their........

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