Surveys the literature and provides case examples supporting the view that social workers are uniquely qualified to evaluate child custody questions and can learn to handle themselves in the courtroom, either as employees of the court or as private consultants. (Author/NB)

Uses contested child custody cases between divorcing parents to examine the interconnections between legal and familial processes. Examines the structure of the legal system in relation to the factors leading to custody litigation, the strategies of parents contesting the custody of their children, and the impact of these actions on the legal…

Explored the impact of custodial arrangement on the adjustment of recently divorced fathers. Indicated that divorced fathers with custody exhibited less depression and anxiety and fewer problems in general adjustment than those without custody. Results highlight the importance of the children's presence as a facilitative, stabilizing factor in…

Used court records to investigate children and divorce in New Zealand. Found a marked trend toward more involvement of children, reflecting both a rising divorce rate and a shift to higher parities in distribution of divorcing couples by parity. Maternal monopoly on formal custody awards has intensified. (NRB)

This brief documents the numbers of children living in different types of kinship environments, characteristics of those environments, and services these children receive. Data come from the 1997 National Survey of America's Families, a nationally representative survey of households with people under age 65 that measures economic, health, and…

Presents national data on each state's legislative approach to custody cases involving allegations of domestic violence. Findings suggest that each regulatory schema has strengths and weaknesses, but that these approaches have been developed without the benefit of extensive study. (Contains 45 references and 1 table.) (GCP)

Examines adult children's reports of relationship changes with their fathers were 20 years after their parents' divorce. Findings indicated that most adult children felt that their relationships with their fathers had either improved or remained stable over time. Custody did not directly affect reported changes in the quality of their relationship…

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…

Custody planning among parents living with HIV or AIDS (PLHAs) can buffer the negative impact of parental death. The formal and informal custody plans for 594 children by 253 PLHAs and the relationships among custody plans, parental health, and psychosocial status were examined. About one-half of the parents had no formal custody plan. Parents…

Research on the effects of divorce has generally focused on mothers and children, neglecting the father. This study examined post-divorce problems in divorced custodial fathers (N=20), divorced noncustodial fathers (N=20), and divorced childless men (N=20). The three groups and a group of married fathers (N=20) were compared on a measure of morale…

Although popular literature cites between 25,000 and 100,000 parental child snatchings a year, no empirical studies have been conducted to support this estimate. To determine an empirical estimate of the extent of parental child snatchings, telephone interviews were conducted by Louis Harris and Associates with a representative cross section of…

The divorce explosion has placed a substantial burden on the judicial system of the United States. About 10 percent of divorce cases involve child custody battles. The adversarial legal process may be contrary to the children's best interest. Custody mediation has been used as an alternative to court litigation. California law requires an attempt…

The two major articles of child welfare legislation in Finland are the Child Welfare Act of 1983 and the Child Custody and Right of Access Act of 1983. These new acts are part of a reform of social legislation and services providing increased flexibility and effectiveness in protecting Finnish children's health and happiness. The Acts attach…

This document presents testimony and proceedings from Congressional hearings on the problem of missing children and the remedies proposed by the Missing Children's Assistance Act. Opening testimony by Senators Arlen Specter and Paula Hawkins is presented, as is the text of the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1983. Prepared testimony from…

A national survey of 517 mothers without custody of at least one child revealed a great range in their reactions to their nontraditional role. Although many mothers reported feeling guilty and uncomfortable, a significant number felt well adjusted, and these two groups are contrasted. Offers practice implications for social workers. (Author)