Mending Broken Families

Since the 1970s, policy-makers and advocates for mothers, fathers, and children have attempted to remedy some of the inherent problems of divorce—such as conflict over the children, delegation of decision-making responsibiities, poor communication skills, and lack of knowledge about children experiencing divorce—through state-level legislation for divorcing or divorced families. These policies have taken the forms of mandated mediation, legal presumptions for particular custodial arrangements, child support orders, divorce education programs for parents, and parenting plans. Mending Broken Families introduces social policies for divorced families by discussing their history and provides the first comprehensive assessment and review of their effectiveness.

Since the 1970s policy-makers and advocates for mothers, fathers, and children have attempted to remedy some of the inherent problems of divorce through public policy. This legislation has taken the form of mandated mediation, legal presumptions for particular custodial arrangements, child support orders, divorce education programs for parents, and parenting plans. Despite this movement, however, there has never been a comprehensive assessment of such policies or their effectiveness. This book provides that evaluation.

Emily M. Douglas is assistant professor in the Master of Social Work Program at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. Her background is in public policy and her work addresses social policies that affect children and families.