Reporting statistics is vital in creating laws and policymaking.

Statistics gathered from an entity are viewed as ‘fact’ and used in the decision-making process.

The validity of results for any data set is based on the numbers. Notably, data input errors happen, an inexperienced researcher may misinterpret data, and sometimes, data is skewed to alter the outcome. In essence, accurate information is vital in reporting meaningful results.

Misrepresentation of facts may lead to a misunderstanding of what is happening to alter the trajectory of the research objective.

Following are several points of concern regarding statistics in the child custody arena.

Concern #1:

Leading Women for Shared Parenting (LW4SP) conducted an analysis of custody outcomes for several counties in North Dakota.  The results reveal contradictions to the statistics reported by the State.  Summary: North Dakota Child Custody by Judge ,released August 2017, indicated court-ordered custody to the father decreased from 2011-2017; With fathers receiving shared parenting 10.5% in 2017, as compared to 16% in 2011.  Custody to the mother occurred 70% in court-determined cases.  Statistics in the report showed the rate of joint custody varied by 2-3 times. One district indicated 8.5% and another district stated 23.8%. Notably, of the 90 judges in the state, six judges ordered 32% of all shared parenting orders. One judge awarded custody to the mother 32.2%, the father 15.7% and shared parenting 41.7%. Another judge awarded custody to the wife 62.5%, and 9.4% to the husband. This judge ordered joint custody, zero times.

Check out all stats from this report at: Summary: North Dakota Child Custody by Judge

Concern #2:

In Texas, The Texas Family Law Foundation, (TFLF) informed legislatures that parenting time was equal. Parents disagreed and reviewed the files discovering:

TFLF description of parenting time was based on hours the child was awake as opposed to a 24-hour day.

The Texas Fathers Rights Movement investigated in Brazoria, Texas, evaluated 399 cases, revealing 93% of the parents given primary custody were women. A 50-50 visitation schedule was ordered in 5% of cases. Of 248 cases only 13 cases awarded the male as the primary parent. Although 23% of male petitioners had attorneys, only 5% of males were awarded primary custody. In comparison, to 21% of the female petitioners with attorneys and 81% of females were awarded primary custody.

Sometimes, the facts are accurate and reveal the need for change

Concern #3:

In 2014, National Parents Organization completed an analysis and issued a grade to each state based on shared parenting arrangements. Ned Holstein, M.D., M.S., Founder and Chair of National Parents Organization, stated: “Our report highlights that many states are not only discouraging shared parenting, but they are also depriving children of what they benefit from most – ample time with both of their parents – while also enabling a system that fosters parental inequality.”

Don Hubin, Ph.D., who led the National Parents Organization research team and is Director for the Center for Ethics and Human Values at The Ohio State University, said, “Our findings reveal that a majority of states’ statutory provisions are behind the times, with most earning C’s and D’s.”

An article from National Parents Organization shares: The report revealed a shared parenting national average of a 1.63 GPA (calculated on a 4.0 GPA scale). Alaska and Arizona received the highest grades, but even they received only a B. The worst custody statutes were found in New York and Rhode Island. The comprehensive review resulted in the following grades:

• • 0 states received an A
  • 8 states received a B
  • 18 states received a C
  • 23 states received a D

• 2 states received an F

Concern #4:

Along the lines of making progress with parenting time the Census Bureau report, in the US reveals similar statistics from 1994 to 2013 with mothers at 82.5% of custodial parents and fathers at 17.5%. Percentage of fathers awarded child support as compared to mothers dropped indicating little change during that time period. Regardless of scientific support revealing the importance of a child needing the involvement of both parents’ custody rulings and child support orders have not changed.

Time for change

There is a lot of work to do with equal shared parenting. Decades of research reveal emotional development has mental and physical health ramifications for the child with  life-long implications.

Join the efforts in creating change.  Check out groups in your area seeking reform with custody and divorce.  The time to help is now. Parent-children relationships are at stake!