Press Releases

Dr Richard A Warshak Research Review - A great new White Paper

White Paper Release – 26th April 2016

 

Stemming the Tide of Misinformation: International Consensus on Shared Parenting and Overnighting

Richard A. Warshak, the world renowned expert on parenting and Parental Alienation (PA), has just published a white paper describing the purpose and background of a two-year project to stem the tide of misinformation that was generating confusion about where the scientific community stood on shared parenting for preschool children.

Four decades of research were reviewed, analysed, and vetted by incorporating feedback from an international group of experts in the fields of attachment, early child development, parent-child relations, and divorce. Social Science and Parenting Plans for Young Children: A Consensus Report was published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, with the endorsement of 110 highly accomplished researchers and practitioners, several who contributed seminal studies cited in the report.

The paper provides the conclusions and recommendations of the consensus report and describes how the report has helped decision makers. After the Warshak consensus report was published, two new studies lent additional weight to the report’s conclusions. The white paper discusses the new studies and describes reactions to the consensus report. The paper concludes by explaining the advantages of having the consensus report reviewed and endorsed by prominent international authorities.

Here is particularly good excerpt from the report:

Should Parental Conflict Trump Shared Parenting Time?
A policy of automatically restricting children’s time with one of the parents when a couple is labelled as “high conflict” brings additional drawbacks and deprives children of the protective buffer of a nurturing relationship with one of their parents.This policy sends parents the message that generating or sustaining conflict can be an effective strategy to override shared custody. This discourages
civil communication and cooperation, and may reduce children’s time with the parent who is less angry, who does a better job of shielding the children from conflict, and who recognizes and supports the children’s need for positive relationships with both parents.
 
Any policy that encourages the instigation and maintenance of conflict between parents by suggesting that such behaviour might be rewarded with more parenting time puts the needs of the children second to the desires of whichever parent opposes sharing parenting time. Such a policy contradicts the best interest standard whose primary purpose is to ensure that the child’s welfare trumps parental entitlements.

Download the full paper Stemming the Tide of Misinformation (free) here.                          See Dr W's blog here.

FNF’s CEO, Jerry Karlin, said “Dr Warshak highlights some of the double standards which brazenly and stubbornly seem to persist in our society despite everyone's apparent agreement that children deserve, require and need meaningful relationships with both their parents - especially after separation or divorce."

Thanks to our friends at the International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP) in Germany for drawing this report to our attention.

 

For comment, case studies or information please contact: media@fnf.org.uk or call Michael Lewkowicz on 0300 0300 110.

Notes for editors:

Families Need Fathers - because both parents matter
FNF is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. FNF is NOT a fathers' rights group - we support the best interests of children - namely mature and collaborative parenting by both parents - an objective which is inadequately promoted in the family court system and associated services.

Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s meaningful relationship with both parents.

Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

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