Research shows that half of all children in joint custody arrangements see both parents weekly, but only about 1 in 10 children of primary custody agreements see their non-custodial parent that often. When both parents are available, children enjoy the unique gifts of guidance, discipline, and love of each parent. Additional advantages are the role models that fathers can nurture and mothers take charge. Children benefit when parental relations are cooperative and there is no extended legal wrangling. When parents are reasonably satisfied with their custody plan, they are more likely to cooperate on a range of issues.
Children are less likely to manipulate, and learn that conflicts can be resolved in a civil way.
Research shows that couples who use divorce mediation rather than litigation decide on joint custody twice as often. This is turn generates resentment from mothers who feel they are left with the less glamorous jobs of setting limits and disciplining. Moreover, mothers on tight budgets feel cheated when they cannot afford to be as generous. Joint custody mitigates the traumatic sense of loss and rejection children often feel when a parent moves out. Judith Wallerstein, who did the most comprehensive longitudinal study of the impact of divorce on children, found that 10 years after the divorce, children who were allowed continuous access to both parents appeared less likely to suffer from feelings of loss, rejection, and low self-esteem.