Wisconsin Survey a Clean Sweep for Shared Parenting

December 3, 2020 by Robert Franklin, JD, Member, National Board of Directors

A survey conducted for the National Parents Organization and its Wisconsin affiliate is just the latest to demonstrate the jaw-dropping popular support enjoyed by shared parenting.  There are so many previous such surveys that I’ve lost count, but, in state after state (plus Canada), equal or near-equal parenting post-divorce is favored by overwhelming majorities of adults.

The Wisconsin poll was conducted by Researchscape.  All 520 people completed the survey and they accurately represented the adult population of Wisconsin in age, race, sex and educational level attained.

Here are the results in full:

“Which arrangement is in the child’s best interest in instances of divorce or separation when both parents are fit and willing to be parents?

It is in the child’s best interest to have as much time as possible with each parent (97%); It is in the child’s best interest to spend as much time as possible with just one parent (3%).

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending significant, up to equal, amounts of time with each parent following separation or divorce when both parents are fit and willing to be parents?

More likely (96%), Less likely (4%).

Which is closer to your beliefs?

Children have the right to spend equal or nearly equal time with both parents who are fit and willing to be parents following a divorce or separation (96%); Children do not have the right to spend equal or nearly equal time with both parents who are fit and willing to be parents following divorce or separation (4%).

How important, if at all, is it for parents who are fit and willing to be parents to share in the responsibility of raising and providing for their children?

Extremely important (81%), Very important (19%).

In instances of divorce or separation when both parents are fit and willing to be parents, which arrangement do you think would be better for children?

It’s better for children to have two homes, one with each parent. (82%), It’s better for children to have only one home with one of their parents. (18%).

Would you support or oppose a change in Wisconsin Law that creates a rebuttable presumption that shared parenting is in the best interest of a child after a parental separation?

Support (85%), Oppose (15%).

How beneficial, if at all, is it for a child to have significant time with each parent assuming both parents are fit, willing to be parents, and live within a reasonable distance of each other?

Extremely beneficial (71%), Very beneficial (27%).

Do you believe that today's family courts view and treat moms and dads equally in child custody decisions?

No (57%), No Opinion (23%), Yes (19%)

When there is conflict between parents, do you think awarding sole custody of children to just one parent increases or decreases that conflict?

Increases conflict (81%), Has no impact (11%), Decreases conflict (9%).

Do you believe that today's family courts treat people differently because of race?

Yes (43%), No (29%), No Opinion (28%).

Of the following, which is closer to your beliefs?

Family courts are more likely to give one or the other parent less than equal parental rights (64%); Family courts are more likely to give both parents equal parental rights (36%).

When parents are separating, which arrangement do you think is generally more appropriate?

Children should have equal or near equal access to and time with each of their parents (94%); Children should spend significantly more time with just one parent by default (6%).

Which of the following do you most agree with?

Both parents should have equal parental rights and responsibilities (90%); Mothers should have greater parental rights and responsibilities (6%); Fathers should have greater parental rights and responsibilities (5%).

When parents separate, they should strive to continue sharing responsibility for parenting their children.

Agree (99%), Disagree (1%)

Children with separated parents should have equal access to both their parents.

Agree (98%), Disagree (2%).

Children who have two significantly involved separated parents are having their best interests met.

Agree (94%), Disagree (6%).

The state of Wisconsin should promote shared parenting for all children with separated parents.

Agree (91%), Disagree (9%).

It would benefit society if more children with separated parents, had both parents significantly

involved.

Agree (96%), Disagree (4%).

There are cases in which some separated parents try to push the other parent out of the children’s lives.

Agree (95%), Disagree (5%).

Separating and separated parents should strive to create a shared parenting experience for their children, instead of one parent being the primary parent and the other in a secondary role.

Agree (94%), Disagree (6%)

Shared parenting education should be:

Mandatory for all separating parents (47%); Required only for separating parents at the discretion of the court (30%); Up to the Individual separating parents (23%).

What child custody legislation would you like to see?

Laws that establish a rebuttable presumption that, when feasible, equal, or nearly equal, parenting time for each parent is in children’s best interest (49%)' Laws that encourage shared custody placement and decision-making (37%); Laws that establish a rebuttable presumption that, when feasible, children having at least 35% of their time living with each parent is in children’s best interest (9%).

It’s an astonishing clean sweep.  Support for shared parenting is overwhelming.  Wisconsinites would support a candidate for public office who supports shared parenting over one who doesn’t.  They agree that shared parenting is the best arrangement for kids and kids have the right to maintain full relationships with both parents post-divorce.  Wisconsinites support a change in the law that would establish a rebuttable presumption of equal parenting following divorce or separation.  They say that family courts don’t treat parents equally and tend to give one parent primary custody.  They say that equal parenting would benefit society generally.  They want the State of Wisconsin to promote shared parenting and understand that parental alienation exists in some cases.

Those are the findings of the survey and they’re in accord with the known facts on shared parenting.

As elsewhere, the state legislature is out of step both with the science on shared parenting and on the desires of their constituents.  So are judges.  When We the People want what’s just and right, what’s best for children and is in agreement with the science on child well-being, and the only ones who disagree are the ones holding electoral power, it’s time for a change.