Child custody: kids need Dad too

Parenting decisions can be tricky, and Missouri parents might be among the thousands of Americans preparing to navigate the legal system in a court of family law. Historically, it seemed that, during child custody proceedings, it was widely believed that a child was better off living primarily with one parent, often the mother. Though modern rulings tend to support a more even split when it comes to parenting time, a notable psychologist warns that misinformation and antiquated thinking can negatively affect a child.

Dr. Warshack spent years as a professor at a major university, and has since become a go-to consultant in prominent child custody cases. He is thought of as an expert on the effects of divorce or separation on a child. He has even appeared on television programs, and recently published some new findings bolstering the theory that children do better when a relationship with both parents is feasible.

Though co-parenting is becoming the nationwide standard in child custody cases, it seems that some people still think that younger children may be confused by such an arrangement and may do better living with one parent and only visiting the other on weekends or a similar schedule. Dr. Warshack is adamant that this is not the case, reasoning that, when a child is born to two parents that live together or are married, dads are encouraged to feed, change and otherwise care for an infant as much as the mother does. When it comes to divorce and physical separation, Dr. Warshack wants family law judges to know that scientific research lends credence to the importance of Dad being an active participant in a child’s daily life.

If a Missouri father is headed to court to hash out a child custody dispute, he may want to consult a knowledgeable representative, like a trusted attorney. An attorney can help make sure that the court is aware of the latest research. A child deserves a best-case scenario, and a court order can solidify the arrangement.