I have heard both sides on this one.
I tend to think that Jesus would not had reason to give Mary to John if she still had a provider and caretaker. What do you think?
We do not hear about his father after they came back from Egypt. I am not sure if he died or that Mary and him went their separate ways. We do know that Mary was around her son a lot. I think if his father was still alive Jesus thought that Mary would be better off with John. Her travels may have taken her far from Joseph and Jesus felt that his friend could care for her better.