Family Law

Is Equal Parenting Time Harmful to Children?

By Ben Stevens

In Austrailia, under the Shared Parental Responsibility Act, there is a presumption since 2006 that "equal shared parental responsibility" is in the best interests of a child.  Both parents are legally bound to jointly attempt to make "major long-term decisions" about their children's care, welfare and development."  This doesn't necessary mean that parenting time is always allocated fifty-fifty, but the Court is required to favorably consider whether the child should spend equal time with each of the parents.

At first glance, this might sound like a good idea, because it literally "splits the baby in half" and each parent is on equal footing.  In a perfect world where parents communicate well with each other, live very close to each other, and both genuinely focus on the child's best interests, then this scenario may, in fact, work well.  However, that is not the case in the vast majority of cases.

Perhaps even worse, Melbourne child psychologist Jennifer McIntosh believes that children in these split care situations risk developing higher than average levels of sadness, anxiety, clinginess and other mental health problems.  She also believes that equal-time parenting could be especially damaging for children under three.  You can read much more about this issue, including a case study by clicking HERE.

Source:  "Shared Parenting for Divorce Couples 'Harmful to Children'" by Matthew Fynes-Clinton, published in the The Courier-Mail (Queensland, Australia).

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on November 10, 2008 (boomark / email).