THE CUSTODY REVOLUTION

(Simon & Schuster, 1992)

By Richard A. Warshak, Ph.D.

THE CUSTODY REVOLUTION advocates fundamental reform of our custody policies and offers practical advice to parents and professionals dealing with custody decisions. After documenting the important role that fathers play in their children's lives and the hazards of traditional approaches to custody, the book provides a comprehensive, research-based, account of father-custody families. Special attention is given to the effects of different custody dispositions on boys and girls. The last part of the book examines joint custody, litigation, and mediation, and describes how parents can make enlightened, flexible, and individualized custody decisions that maximize their children's chances of coping with divorce.

Specific guidelines are offered in a number of areas including: how to cushion children from the harmful effects of divorce, how to decide whether or not to seek custody, how to deal with children's requests to change custody, how mothers can cope when they don't have custody, how to avoid common "psychological minefields" between single parents and their children, how grandparents can play a crucial role in helping children cope with divorce, how to select a custody mediator, and how to tell the children about the custody decision.

Preface

Introduction: Custody Casualties

Part 1: The Motherhood Mystique

• The Birth of the Motherhood Mystique
• The Father Factor
• Conventional Custody

Part 2: Father-Custody Families

• Pioneer Fathers
• Maverick Mothers

Part 3: What About the Children?

• Father Custody versus Mother Custody
• The Gender Connection
• Psychological Minefields: Coping with the Gender Connection

Part 4: The Custody Revolution

• Joint Custody: Panacea or Pandemonium?
• Judgment Day

Epilogue: What Shall We Do With the Child?

Reviews of "THE CUSTODY REVOLUTION"

"If more law makers, judges, lawyers and parents would read The Custody Revolution, there would be fewer custody battles in the courtrooms, less tears and heartaches for mothers and fathers, and, most importantly, many more smiles on the faces and more love in the hearts of children."

--David Brenner, Entertainer and Father

"Richard Warshak, one of the foremost authorities on divorce and remarriage, has drawn on research findings to explore the controversial issues related to custody and childrens' well being in a thoughtful, sensitive analysis that will be useful both to parents and practitioners."

--E. Mavis Hetherington, Ph.D., James M. Page Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia

"Absolutely the finest book on divorce and custody ever written. Dr. Warshak is a pioneer for our times."

--Henry B. Biller, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and author, Fathers and Families

"Richard Warshak's book is first-rate. Every parent concerned about custody issues can draw on its wisdom and advice to improve their children's lives. The Custody Revolution is the best book on custody I have read."

--John W. Santrock, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, the University of Texas at Dallas

"Dr. Warshak has written a sensitive, thoughtful guide to post-divorce custody issues. His attentiveness to special concerns boys and girls have at different ages, and his even-handed impartial approach to mothers and fathers makes this book enormously helpful."

--Neil Kalter, Ph.D., Professor, Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Michigan and Author of Growing Up With Divorce

"A remarkable book, very well written, and soundly based on research. It should be a very influential book with people who are making custody decisions, and I hope that it will be 'required reading' for them. . . .Eloquent."

--John S. Visher, M.D., Author of Old Loyalties, New Ties: Therapeutic Strategies With Stepfamilies

"Kramer vs. Kramer could have used this book."

--Contemporary Psychology

"A must for anyone who does custody work....Refreshing....Fascinating.... Many charts and tables that will be useful in working with clients....Can be heavily used in your practice....We have waited too long for this type of work....Very readable, a valuable resource."

--Family Advocate (A publication of the American Bar Association)

"Crystal clear...Worthwhile reading for anyone involved in divorce and child-custody issues."

--Kirkus Reviews

"A valuable, commonsensical guide."

--Publishers Weekly

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