Fatherhood, Motherhood, Family - Sociocultural Aspects, Parenting - General & Miscellaneous, Children of Divorce, Divorce, Divorce - Psychological Aspects, Domestic Relations Law - Divorce & Separation, Domestic Relations Law - Children

The Custody Revolution

Name: The Custody Revolution
Author: Richard A. Warshak
ISBN: 9780671746940

by Richard A. Warshak

Write a review

Overview

This ground-breaking book by one of our leading authorities on custody arrangements draws on important original research to present a revolutionary new blueprint for custody decisions. When parents divorce, child custody is the most complex and difficult issue they face. This book shows why so many of the problems attributed to divorce are often the results of our custody practices. Dr. Richard Warshak looks beyond the accepted wisdom to examine what's truly best for children. The Custody Revolution offers not a panacea but a prescription for alleviating much of the suffering of divorced families. It offers a new vision of divorce in America, one in which the needs of the children are given a priority they have not previously had. Dr. Warshak shows how parents can create a family structure that assures children that they have not been divorced, a structure that safeguards their birthright to two parents. Based on scientific studies, Dr. Warshak's thoughtful, commonsense approach questions the practice of routinely awarding custody to mothers and shows why children often fare best in the care of the same-sex parent. In conventional custody arrangements, mothers are overburdened, fathers are reduced to a superficial presence in their children's lives, and children experience a deterioration in their relationship with each parent. Dr. Warshak shows why we have no grounds for discriminating against fathers in custody matters. Recent research has underscored the father's immense contribution to his children's development and has documented the psychologically harmful effects of his absence. Research with father-custody families has proved that fathers are able to competently manage the responsibilities of single parenting and that their children are as well off as their peers in mother-custody families. The Custody Revolution demonstrates how father custody and joint custody can provide crucial benefits, especially for boys, and makes a strong case for balance in cu

A ground-breaking book by one of our leading authorities on custody arrangements. Warshak looks at what's truly best for children, based on scientific studies. He makes a strong case for balance in custody decisions and offers practical advice on how to keep both parents intimately involved with their children after divorce.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Warshak contends that the ``motherhood mystique''--a widespread belief that women naturally make better parents than men and are more important to their children than fathers are--often leads courts to give custody to the mother in a divorce settlement regardless of the father's wishes or her own situation. A Texas psychologist, he argues that we must revise this outmoded way of thinking and take into greater account factors other than the parent's sex in awarding custody. He draws on numerous studies to argue that children, especially boys, who live with their father may be more confident, more popular, more successful in school and generally happier than those who reside with their mother. He offers advice on how to negotiate flexible custody arrangements (including checklists to help parents make the decision) and discusses joint custody as well. No matter which parent gets custody, Warshak emphasizes, it is vital for both of them to maintain close relationships with their children. A valuable, commonsensical guide. ( Sept. )