title: The determination of child custody.
abstract: This article reviews briefly the history of child custody decision making and describes current custodial arrangements in the United States. It examines both the manner in which parents and courts make decisions regarding custody and access, and the changes in visiting patterns in recent decades. The author discusses the impact of reforms in the law and the implementation of newer dispute resolution and educational interventions, and then makes recommendations for policy and practice.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002655:Child Custody / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D004243:Divorce / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D014481:United States