Joint custody: A critical analysis and appraisal.

Abstract

Joint custody, now in the statutes of over half the states, is becoming the legally preferred custody arrangement. It eases the burden on the courts, and is thought to benefit all family members. Research has indicated that children generally gain from maintaining a relationship with each parent; however, the assumption that joint custody promotes cooperation between divorced parents is a research question that has yet to be answered. There is a disparity between the strength of the joint custody movement and the sufficiency of evidence that this is the optimum approach for all children.