New Study on Benefits of Joint Custody to Children

Child Adjustment in Joint-Custody Versus Sole-Custody
Arrangements: A Meta-Analytic Review
by Robert Bauserman
AIDS Administration/Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

The author meta-analyzed studies comparing child adjustment in joint physical or joint legal custody with sole-custody settings, including comparisons with paternal custody and intact families where possible.

Children in joint physical or legal custody were better adjusted than children in sole-custody settings, but no different from those in intact families.

More positive adjustment of joint-custody children held for separate comparisons of general adjustment, family relationships, self-esteem, emotional and behavioral adjustment, and divorce-specific adjustment. Joint-custody parents reported less current and past conflict than did sole-custody parents, but this did not explain the better adjustment of joint-custody children.

The results are consistent with the hypothesis that joint custody can be advantageous for children in some cases, possibly by facilitating ongoing positive involvement with both parents.

Website Links and Resources for Dads

Here is a useful handbook on non-custodial parental rights in Illinois -- definitely one of the first places to start when looking for answers about your rights as the parent who doesn't have custody of your child/children: http://www.cffpp.org/legal/illinois_en.html

The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood 401 South Clinton, 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60607 http://www.responsiblefatherhood.com/
Father and Family Service Providers
Fatherhood Educational Institute	www.fatherhood-edu.org	(312) 795-9060
Illinois Fatherhood Initiative	www.4fathers.org	(800) 996-DADS
Concerned Black Men of Chicago	www.cbmnational.org	(708) 829-5120
Fathers Who Care	www.fatherswhocare.us	(773) 550-3556
Lutheran Child and Family Services	www.lcfs.org	(708) 771-7184
Voices for Illinois Children	www.voices4kids.org	(312) 456-0600
Family Focus	www.family-focus.org	(312) 421-5200
State of Illinois Government Resources
Dept. of Public Aid - Child Support	www.state.il.us/dpa/	(312) 793-7987
Dept. Human Services	www.dhs.state.il.us	(312) 793-4131
Dept. Children & Family Services	www.state.il.us/dcfs/	(312) 808-9040

Additional websites focused on Dad's:
http://www.fatherhood-edu.org/

Why Blog About It?

I've started this blog to help men I know who are incredible, loving and who are no longer able to be with their children because of a breakup or divorce with their exes. I hope that there will be good information and resources that will help them find the courage to fight to be in the lives of their children, whom I know they love and miss.