Australia -- Shared Parenting Is Hurting Children
"New research claims children in high-conflict families are suffering under shared care arrangements. The Federal Government is under growing pressure to change its shared parenting legislation, with a former judge criticising the laws for not working in the interests of the child.
"Three years ago the Howard government re-wrote Australia's family laws. The reforms championed shared care for children in separated families, based on the idea that most were better off spending as much time with each parent as possible.
"But new research commissioned by the federal Attorney-General's office has found that children in high-conflict families do not like shared care.
"The children also had higher rates of hyperactivity than children who had a stable home base with one of their parents.
"Researcher, Doctor Jennifer McIntosh from Family Transitions, looked at children's development in 130 high-conflict families, some of whom went to court.
"Dr McIntosh says children in shared care are more troubled, distressed and anxious than children who have more flexible arrangements..."
