First let me offer a disclaimer--FOR ALL THE GOOD FATHERS OUT THERE, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR YOUR FAMILIES!!!
That being said, I think the reason a lot of husbands get a bad rap from their ex-wives is because it seems that in most, NOT ALL of course, but MANY cases, the dad does nothing further to help support their children. I can't tell you how many women I know who are raising kids completely on their own. The father never contributes, never calls, let alone remembers birthdays, never checks up on the kids, never comes to their games or events, and never offers any assistance with basic things like clothes, food, and transportation. And if he does call, he constantly promises and NEVER delivers.
I know of one woman whose ex even moved to another state across the country in order to avoid jail for not paying child support.
NOW I KNOW IT GOES BOTH WAYS--many men are out there raising children left behind by mothers who became drug addicts, left for another man, etc.
I would say to ANYONE who is considering dating someone who trashes their ex-spouse--don't do it or at the very least, USE EXTREME CAUTION. Openly trashing someone, as Seatbelt wisely pointed out, is absolute, concrete proof of a bitter heart.
You know what that means, don't you? It means that the bitter person will not only expect you to be perfect, BUT, they will expect you to work doubly hard to make up all the evils their ex did to them, no matter how sweet they seem to be at first. The bitterness in their heart makes them feel "somebody owes them" and YOU are making yourself that somebody.
Jesus said that we speak from the overflow of the heart.
Guess what? Bitterness is like a closet that's stuffed too full, and they keep trying to shove more into the closet every time they accuse an ex of everything that person did wrong. The closet is going to explode... and you, being the closest person around, are going to be hit with the landmine first, and hardest.
As far as relationships go? It's most often a fatal blow.
If this is what you're purposely asking for and seeking out... best wishes. Let us know how it went for you... because we would definitely be curious as to what happened!!