Myths and Truths about Shared Parenting and Child Well-Being

National Parents Organization knows that there are many harmful myths about shared parenting. Opponents of shared parenting raise a myriad of objections to a presumption that children will continue to have a full parent-child relationship with both parents even when the parents are living apart. These objections are not grounded on facts. But they mislead those unfamiliar with the scientific research on child well-being.

NPO is working with the International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP) to produce one-page handouts that address and respond to the most frequent attacks on shared parenting. These handouts will provide concise, scientifically-backed responses to the myths about shared parenting that opponents use to mislead parents, legislators, and divorce professionals. 

The first of these handouts, Myths and Truths about Shared Parenting and Child Well-Being, is available now on our webpage of research articles. This sheet addresses the most insidious attacks on shared parenting: that it harms children. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the research clearly shows. 

This fact sheet addresses a variety of myths, including: that doesn’t benefit children when parents are in conflict; that shared parenting isn’t appropriate for infants and toddlers; that shared parenting undermines children’s sense of security by shuttling them back and forth between two homes; that shared parenting leave children vulnerable to abuse; and more. Each of these myths is rebutted by sound scientific research.

The second shared parenting myths & facts handout is still in the works. It will address other myths about shared parenting: that it’s a “one size fits all’ approach; that it increases parental conflict; that it increases domestic violence; that it’s been tried and found unsuccessful; and more.

ICSP and NPO hope that these documents will be widely used to educate parents, divorce professionals, and legislators to reform the norms of separated parenting to ensure that parental separation doesn’t lead to parental deprivation.