Kids hate Dads who are mean or disloyal to Mama. And they always know.
My dad was not abusive to my mom. Never even heard him raise his voice to her. But he did something once that made her cry, which she almost never did, and I hated him for that. I was SO angry with him.
A friend recounts having his step dad beat his mom until my friend, as a teen, threatened to kill him in his sleep if he did it again.
THAT cannot be less damaging than divorce.
I am opposed to divorce, especially the divorce culture mentality we live in, but for a woman and children’s own safety, sometimes it is necessary.