Single Dads: Joint custody is a sign to single dads that they retain rights and obligations as dads. |
Single Dads Child
Custody: In child custody cases, single parents essentially ask, "Your Honor, whose child is this? Before the twentieth century, under English law, children were considered the property of the husband. A single dad was granted custody of his children unless the courts considered him unfit. In the twentieth century, the mother was typically granted custody of the children unless she was considered incompetent by the courts. While giving lip service to "the child's best interests," judges consistently awarded child custody to the mother. In the 1970s this began to change for single dads, slowly, but ever so slowly. Unfortunately, the last decade of the twentieth century and the first years of the 21st century has not brought as much progress as single dads and their children would hope. Eleanor E. MacCoby and Robert H. Mnookin in their book Dividing the Child: Social and Legal Dilemmas of Custody, wrote that mothers who want sole physical custody often prevail. MacCoby and Mnookin opine that when single parents make competing claim for custody, the mother's wishes are granted twice as often as the dad's. It gets worse. MacCoby and Mnookin go on to say that even when both parents agree that single dads should have primary custody of the children, judges contravene the parental agreement in a least a quarter of the cases! Your Honor, did you hear what we said? Joint custody fares somewhat better. In fact, the last decade of the twentieth century saw joint custody increases in the United States and this is continuing to increase in the 21st century. Although joint custody may not be the solution for all divorced and single dads, it does have a symbolic value to the newly single dad and his children. It is a sign to the single dad that he retains rights and obligations as a father. It is a message to his children that dad is still a significant figure in their lives. Most single dads still actually feel lucky to be awarded joint custody. What about single dads who do not fare so well in custody decisions? |
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