Compared the parenting one year after divorce of 28 joint-custodial fathers and 54 noncustodial fathers. Indicators of fathers' involvement were contact with the children and shared responsibility and decision making. Indicators of paternal involvement showed joint-custody fathers were more involved than noncustodial fathers in postdivorce…

Suggests that although grandparents may play a significant role in the life of children, the legal position of grandparents in custodial matters remains ambiguous. Reviews recent legislation that has granted grandparents the right to seek visitation. Grandparenting may be a factor in actualizing the best interests of the child. (BH)

Discusses the history and types of adoption. Interaction between custody laws and family therapy occurs primarily in cases involving questions of rights--those of the adoptee, the biological parents, and the adoptive parents. New concerns include pressures to open sealed records, questions of grandparents' rights, and surrogate motherhood. (BH)

Presents a consultation model that can serve to diminish the destructive impact of the adversarial process in child custody decisions. The process and procedures described are consonant with what most state statutes suggest as criteria for consideration in custody decisions and promote the best interests of the children. (JAC)

Reviews empirical studies related to divorce therapy both substantively and methodologically. Strong evidence exists for the superiority of mediation to traditional adversary methods for custody and visitation disputes. Conciliation counseling appears to increase the number of reconciliations in the short-term. Other conclusions must remain very…

Reviews new findings on college students' perspectives on their living arrangements after their parents' divorces and their relations with their parents as a function of their living arrangements. Students endorsed living arrangements that gave them equal time with their fathers, they had better outcomes when they had such arrangements and when…

Investigates whether fatherhood, and specifically involvement with nonresident children, influence men's entrance into marital and cohabiting unions. Findings suggest that neither resident nor nonresident children affect men's chances of entering a new marriage, but nonresident children have a positive effect on cohabitation. (Contains 79…

The study examined factors which influence custody change in cases of children who have been sexually abused in 180 cases of children hospitalized with a suspicion of having been sexually abused. Of the children with proven abuse (N=138), ultimately 40 percent had a custody change. (DB)

Investigated frequency of contact between children and biological parents who were separated. Used data from 1981 national survey to examine effects of living arrangements and other family characteristics on cross-household ties between children and parents. Found frequent contact occurring for children who had recently lived with absent parent…

Tested hypothesis that children's contact with nonresident parents decreases children's behavior problems when interparental conflict is low but increases children's behavior problems when interparental conflict is high. Analyzed data from 1,285 children in single-parent families. Hypothesis was supported among boys from divorced families; no…

Because parental alienation syndrome is newly recognized, it must be redefined as new cases are observed. Evidence suggests that alienation may be provoked by other than custodial matters, cases of alleged sexual abuse may be hinted, slow judgments by courts exacerbate problem, prolonged alienation of child may trigger mental illness, and little…

Reviews demographic trends suggesting that single fathers and their children use counseling services. Reviews legal, social, and psychological history and trends influential in custodial decision making. Emphasizes attachment theory, parental absence, and sex-role research. Reviews studies showing that parent skills and adjustment, not gender, are…

Conducted in-depth interviews with 17 parents (9 fathers and 8 mothers) who had abducted their own children. Reported reasons for abduction included unsatisfactory contact with court-related professionals, revenge, and fear for the child's safety. Some abductors, after the abduction had been resolved, had increased contact with their children.…

Examines the role of mental health counselors in the evaluation of families for child custody disputes. Suggests that even though child custody evaluation requires specialized knowledge, expertise, and experience, it can become a rewarding aspect of a mental health counselor's practice. (LLL)

In divorced families, the noncustodial parent is usually as important to the child as the residential parent. Schools should avoid actions that cause parental conflict, place one parent in a sole decision-making role, or deny a parent's access to information or involvement. School responsibilities governing routine correspondence, cyclical and…