And young adults who continue to have a good relationship with each parent after a divorce will get a better start in their own lives as a result. It's been argued that an effective way for children to continue a relationship with each parent after a divorce is through joint physical custody, a legal arrangement where children divide their time between mother and father. In almost all states if the parents agree to this there can be joint custody. In other cases it is a presumption, which means that unless there's a reason not to do this it will be joint custody. Proponents argue that joint custody results in fathers staying more involved with their children and paying their child support more dependably.
Joint custody is either the best or the worst arrangement.
Depending on whether the parents can be civilized and do business together. Macabee has studied over 1,000 families, comparing the impact on children of different custody arrangements. If they're in conflict, it's harmful. Harmful to the equilibrium and mental health of children to be caught in the middle of two hostile, warring parents. And I think this is because they are able to maintain good, close relationships with both parents.