Investigated whether observed divorce settlements suggest that parents make trade-offs between several dimensions related to their children (custody, visitation, support) and marital property. Data from National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 support notion that parents make such trade-offs. (Author/NB)

Examined differences in treatment of noncustodial mothers and noncustodial fathers by courts at time of divorce. Data from 1,043 court cases revealed that, looking at child support, noncustodial mothers appeared to have economic advantage over noncustodial fathers. Further analysis revealed that noncustodial mothers were in more economic danger…

Provided fathers' reports, matched to mothers', and court record data concerning nonpayment of child support. The court records were shown to be an underestimate. Fathers' reports of compliance was much higher than mothers' reports, illustrating that both might be biased in opposite directions. Ability to pay was shown to be a key correlate of…

Examined three data sets to explore assumptions about custodial fathers: there are few father-only families, most custodial fathers have remarried, many single fathers are widowers, custodial fathers have high incomes, and fathers primarily receive custody of older boys. Concluded that many assumptions are untrue and that child support policies…

Interviewed 32 members from fathers' rights groups about postdivorce parenting experiences, troubles with family law practices, and posturing on fathers' rights platform. Fathers presented uniform voice in support of fathers' rights' public image of caring fathers who want men to be recognized as fathers and who are requesting equitable treatment…

Examined child-related, postdivorce litigation in families with young children by reviewing legal records of 700 divorced couples without children and 700 couples with young children. Data revealed high relitigation rate, particularly among parents. Support issues were relitigated more frequently than were visitation and custody issues. (Author/NB)

Used data from 212 divorced fathers to investigate relationships between frequency of father-child contact, visitation quality, and child support payment. Found that fathers who saw their children frequently tended to live nearby, reported higher levels of father-child closeness before divorce, and were more likely to have joint custody. Found…

The welfare of children in Lagos, Nigeria, after marital disruption was assessed using 1,000 social welfare case records. Findings include: single custody was commonly practiced; few of the women remarried; and many of the biological fathers were not responsible for the maintenance of their children, and the few that were defaulted regularly.…

Highlights the key issues in kinship care and discusses them as they relate to agency structure for kinship family support in the public child welfare system. Examines concerns for future planning, including meeting regulations, monitoring, and development of permanent plans, and explores implications for policy and practice. (Author/SD)

Describes a longitudinal study of permanency planning for children in kinship foster care in Erie County, New York, focusing on care duration, discharge destinations, and discharge goals. Notes that many children were adopted by or living with kin with the goal of adoption. Describes the "Kinship Options" program which strives for…

The high incidence of divorce and remarriage means that the structure of American families is changing. Drawing on 13 studies that explore intergenerational obligations, this book discusses the responsibilities of family members to one another after divorce and remarriage. Chapter 1, "Who Is Responsible for Dependent Family Members?," presents an…

Proposed a conceptual framework for analyzing kinship care policy that uses five new permanency outcomes. Concluded that, in formulating their own policies, states must separate a caregiver's need for support (money and services) from a child's need for supervision (casework oversight). Concludes that states must proceed cautiously in altering…