Title: Are separated/divorced same sex families more likely to establish equal coparenting? A preliminary outcome from a court-based program

Publication: Family Court Review: An interdisciplinary Journal

Authors: Tianmei Zhu, Jonathan Alschech, Marsha Kline Pruett

Link:  https://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12679 

Summary: This article focuses on investigating the impact of inconsistent laws and potential judicial bias on children’s access to support and interaction from both parents after separation or divorce. According to the findings, compared to heterosexual parents, same-sex parents tend to make more equitable and consistent parenting plans amongst spouses. This study adds to the increasing body of research on same-sex coparenting after separation or divorce by presenting early findings and laying the framework for a more thorough investigation of the variations in parenting styles and coparenting between heteronormative and queer households.

Family Reunion Comment: One important thing to note in this article is that same-sex parents, compared to heterosexual parents, tend to have more equitable and consistent parenting plans after separation or divorce. This finding challenges the notion that traditional heterosexual households are inherently better at coparenting. The study highlights the need for further research to explore the differences in parenting styles and coparenting practices between heteronormative and queer households, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and understanding diverse family structures in family law and policies.

Title: The impact of equal parenting time laws on family outcomes and risky behavior by teenagers: Evidence from Spain

Publication: Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

Authors: Daniel Fernandez-Kranz, Natalia Nollenberger

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2022.01.001 

Summary: :This article talks about how new laws in Spain give parents equal time with their children after divorce. These laws are called equal parenting time (EPT) laws and they apply to about 40% of all divorces in Spain. The study shows that these laws reduce arguments and divorces initiated by wives, and they also make it more likely for mothers to find employment compared to fathers. The study looked at the behavior of 165,000 teenagers and found that EPT laws help reduce risky behavior among teenagers, especially boys who have a better relationship with their fathers. However, the study also found that there may be some confusion about what is considered acceptable behavior. These findings could have implications for other countries, like the United States, where similar laws are being considered. These findings could have implications for other countries, like the United States, where similar laws are being considered.

Family Reunion Comment: Equal parenting time (EPT) laws in Spain have shown potential benefits for both parents and teenagers after divorce. These laws not only contribute to reducing conflicts and divorce initiated by wives but also promote gender equality by increasing the likelihood of mothers finding employment. Additionally, the study highlights that EPT laws can have a positive impact on reducing risky behavior among teenagers, particularly boys who have a better relationship with their fathers.

Title: Conditioning Child Support Payments On Visitation Access: A Proposal

Publication: International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family

Authors: Alison Kitch

Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/5.3.318 

Summary: This article discusses a practice in which noncustodial parents’ visiting privileges are linked to child support payments. In other words, if a parent is denied time with their kids, they may be able to cancel or modify the child support payments they are making. Some people have expressed concern about this technique, though. They claim it might be unjust to women, have a negative impact on children’s welfare, put pressure on government funds, and be applied inconsistently or ineffectively.The article examines these issues as well as the significance of kids keeping relationships with both parents. The history of how the law in the US has addressed this topic is covered. The article proposes a plan that courts can use to handle disputes over child support and visitation after a divorce, which includes the option of tying payments to visitation rights.

Family Reunion Comment: The implementation of equal parenting time (EPT) laws in Spain has shown promising results in terms of reducing conflict and increasing gender equality in post-divorce arrangements. The findings suggest that considering and implementing similar laws in other countries could potentially yield similar positive effects on family relationships and child well-being.

Title: Should Infants and Toddlers Have Frequent Overnight Parenting Time With Fathers? The Policy Debate and New Data.

Publication: Psychology Public Policy and Law

Authors: William V Fabricius & Go Woon Suh

Link: https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000108  

Summary: The study looked at whether babies and toddlers who spend frequent overnight time with their noncustodial fathers after their parents’ separation or divorce have positive outcomes. Contrary to previous findings, this study found that having overnights with both parents was beneficial for the parent-child relationships, both with the mother and the father. These benefits were seen when children were 2 years old or younger. The benefits remained even after considering factors like parenting time, parent education, conflict, and the child’s sex and age at separation. While the study doesn’t prove causation, it strongly supports policies that encourage frequent overnight parenting time for young children. The benefits were observed for parents who initially agreed on overnights as well as those who had the plan imposed on them. These findings align with intervention studies showing that fathers who are more involved with their young children develop better parenting skills and relationships.

Family Reunion Comment: The study suggests that denying court-ordered parenting time may have negative implications for both the parent-child relationships and the long-term outcomes for children. It found that frequent overnight parenting time with noncustodial fathers had benefits for both the mother-child and father-child relationships, even when parents initially disagreed or when the plan was imposed over one parent’s objections. This highlights the importance of honoring court-ordered parenting time and promoting meaningful involvement of both parents in the lives of their children.

Title: Child Custody after Divorce Laws in Malaysia: Muslim Parents and Children Perspective 

Publication: Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies

Authors: Akbar Kamarudin & Abdul Shukor

Link: https://doi.org/10.24191/jcis.v8i2.2 

Summary: The article examines Malaysia’s child custody laws, which now favor sole custody as the preferred method. When a child has exclusive custody, they reside with that parent and only see them sometimes. However, social studies indicate that issues like lack of contact and lack of financial assistance might result from sole custody and harm the child’s best interests. Other nations have enacted legislative changes that are trending toward joint custody, where both parents share parental responsibilities and the residency of the kid. The experiences of a few Muslim parents and kids in Malaysia are looked at in this article with regard to child custody, including the legal system, domicile, access, parental responsibility, and relationships. One significant conclusion is that Shari’ah courts, parents, and kids all frequently accept joint custody but it must be aligned with the best interests of the child.

Family Reunion Comment: There is a growing awareness of the potential benefits of joint custody arrangements and a recognition of the importance of considering the best interests of the child in custody deci
sions.