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Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 16, No. 4, 466-487 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/019251395016004004

Home Is Where They Have to Let You In

Beliefs Regarding Physical Custody Changes of Children Following Divorce

LAWRENCE H. GANONG

University of Missouri

MARILYN COLEMAN

University of Missouri

DEBORAH MISTINA

University of Missouri

Normative expectations regarding changes in the physical custody of children following divorce were examined in this study. Two hundred twenty-two women and 88 men whose names were drawn randomly responded to a vignette about a divorced couple and their 16-year-old son. In response to a variety of scenarious, participants indicated whether the child should be allowed to change residence. Forced-choice responses, analyzed using multinomial logistic regression, yielded no significant main or interaction effects. Several general themes, however, were evident in the open-ended responses: (a) The wishes of the child should prevail in postdivorce physical custody changes; (b) mothers have a more unconditional obligation to their children than fathers; (c) men's parenting skills and abilities are somewhat suspect; and (d) court-appointed custody arrangements have little influence on postdivorce physical custody changes. Considering that informal modifications in physical custody are common, it is suggested that future research move beyond court-ordered settlements to understand better the effects of divorce on children.


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