The Effect of Shared Custody on Children
When a couple divorces, one of the most crucial decisions they must make is to determine the best custody arrangement for their children. Not every custody arrangement works for each family, but in some cases, a joint-custody or shared-parenting arrangement may be the best solution. Before agreeing to or dismissing this type of arrangement, however, it is important to consider the effect of shared custody on children.
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Definition
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Shared custody, joint custody or shared parenting means that the child or children in question lives with both parents on an alternating basis, switching back and forth between residences. The amount of time spent at each residence varies, and children may spend more time with one parent than the other or spend exactly the same amount of time with each.
Adjustment
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According to Pennsylvania attorney Eugene Wrona, writing on the Children's Justice website, studies have found that most children involved in a shared-custody arrangement have an easier time adjusting to their parents' divorce than children in a sole-custody arrangement, since they are able to interact with both parents and a sense of continuity in the parent-child relationship is maintained. Wrona also cited research findings that a shared-custody arrangement requires a lot of teamwork and compromise between both parents, and if they are not able to compromise and maintain a cordial relationship when interacting with one another in front of their child, the adjustment period may become very difficult. In situations where one parent is physically or verbally abusive to the other, a shared-custody arrangement may actually be detrimental to the child.
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Child Support Payments
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According to Family Law, parents who are more involved in their children's lives are more likely to provide for them financially and to fulfill their child-support obligations. With no conflict between their parents over child-support payments, children will not have to listen to parents arguing about the issue, and the chance that they will feel "abandoned" by a parent who does not pay support payments on time is lessened. In some cases, when a child spends equal time with both parents, child support may not be ordered and therefore may not be an issue at all.
Maintaining Relationships
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An article featured in the online version of the magazine Missouri Families points out that children in sole-custody relationships often have less of an opportunity to form a relationship with the noncustodial parent. Recognizing the parental authority of a parent who is not a regular presence in their lives can also be difficult for some children. If the communication between the two parents breaks down, children will undoubtedly suffer, since they will likely be unsure of the continuity of the rules and routines in each house and may feel the need to "take sides" and align themselves with one parent over the other.
Considerations
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When considering a joint-custody arrangement, parents should consider the age and maturity level of the children involved. The court will consider the best interests of the children when making a custody ruling, and of course parents should always strive to do so as well.
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References
- Photo Credit family with one child standing between parents image by Sielan from Fotolia.com
