ABSTRACT As family structures are becoming diverse across Europe, understanding how separated parents manage childcare is essential for supporting children’s well-being. However, little is known about how physical custody arrangements relate to childcare arrangements. Informed by the triple bind framework, this study examined the relationship between custody arrangement and children’s use of formal (e.g. preschool) and informal (e.g. family) care. We analyzed data from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey. We included cross-sectional data collected in 2021 from separated parents of children ages 12 and younger living in 12 countries (N = 3786). Children with joint physical custody (JPC) had a higher probability of using formal care than children with sole physical custody (SPC) net of socioeconomic controls and country-level characteristics. Advantage in terms of employment, income, and country regime supporting dual-earner policies promoted formal care use. Physical custody arrangement typically was not related to informal care use. The use of informal care does not seem to be compensating for children in SPC’s lower representation in formal care. Increasing access to formal care through universal programmes could provide a mechanism to promote child health and development.

Shared parenting experiences in kinship care: The role of family demographics, adverse childhood experiences, birth parent involvement, and attitudes toward shared parenting

ABSTRACT Because of the significant increase in the number of families practicing post‐divorce shared residence, there has been an ongoing debate about whether this arrangement serves the best interests of the children, particularly the youngest ones. This article focuses on the encounters of family mediators working with separating parents who have children aged 0–3 years. We explore what mediators perceive as typical parenting scripts among parents with young children post‐divorce. The data material consists of focus group interviews conducted at family mediation offices in Norway. Through qualitative analysis, we identify shared residence as the dominant script for parenthood after parents' separation. The mediators describe the idea of equal shared parenthood and residence as a central issue in the mediation sessions, regardless of differing family practices or prior parenting arrangements. Discourses surrounding parents' legal rights and their position in relation to the youngest children may conflict with mediators' interpretation of the children's best interests. New parental expectations and practices challenge the mediators' expertise and entail mediators' search for more individually adapted advice, rather than generalized standards for living arrangements for the youngest children.

The child custody regulations of India for children who are under five years of age follow Section 6(a) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, which establishes a legal presumption that mothers will typically receive custody of their children. The paper presents three related arguments. The first argument proves that Section 6(a) grants mothers preferential custody rights, which violates Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution because it fails to meet the requirements established by Shayara Bano v. Union of India and the constitutional anti-stereotyping principle derived from Anuj Garg v. Hotel Association of India. The second argument shows that Indian custody decisions disable the constitutional rights of children because judges disregard Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which India has ratified, and treat child welfare as an unimportant matter instead of their main focus. The third argument establishes that existing laws should create a shared parenting framework because current legal gaps force children from separated families to endure unnecessary harm. The research develops through three components that include Indian constitutional law the Supreme Court of India and two legal codes from the United Kingdom and Australia and the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act and the research about attachment in developmental psychology. The research presents a complete reform plan which involves three main elements. The first element requires the elimination of gender-based presumption through the repeal of Section 6(a). The second element establishes a welfare assessment system which follows the guidelines of the Children Act 1989. The third element establishes joint parental responsibility as the standard legal requirement. The fourth element requires all disputed custody cases to include systems that allow children to take part.

Objective: This study explores the prevalence of family complexity in Joint physical custody (JPC) versus sole physical custody (SPC) and investigates the relationship between custody arrangements and children’s socioemotional problems, focusing on the moderating effect of parental repartnering. Background: JPC is increasingly common and shown to be beneficial for children. However, the rise in family complexity due to parental repartnering raises questions about JPC’s benefits for children's well-being in stepfamily settings. Method: Three waves of the New Families in the Netherlands (NFN) survey, covering ten years after separation, are used. The sample consists of parents who divorced or separated in 2010. Children's socioemotional problems were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Linear regression models were estimated separately for boys and girls aged 4-17. Results: Descriptive statistics indicate that about half of the children live with a stepparent, with those living in JPC more likely to do so. Moreover, children in JPC showed fewer socioemotional problems than those in SPC. We did not find evidence that JPC is less beneficial for children when either parent has a new partner. Conclusion: Joint physical custody is associated with better child outcomes, and its advantages persist in stepfamily settings, indicating that parental repartnering does not weaken the effects of JPC.

An increasing number of children grow up in joint physical custody (JPC), prompting interest in how this arrangement affects their development. Particularly, questions about the impact of JPC on early attachment development have placed young children at the forefront of scholarly attention. Yet, no systematic synthesis of research has examined attachment development in young children living in JPC, nor is there a comprehensive examination of how this research has been conducted. Thus, the present scoping review identifies and systematically compiles all available research on attachment of young children in JPC. Despite frequent references to attachment theory in the literature on JPC, only 10 studies explicitly grounded in attachment theory were found, revealing a much thinner evidence base than often assumed. These studies vary widely in forms of JPC, sample characteristics, and methodologies, and their findings are inconsistent. This heterogeneity likely reflects both societal changes over the past 3 decades, of relevance for JPC, and a diversity in how attachment theory is interpreted and applied. Theoretical differences have in turn shaped study designs, methodologies, and conclusions, ultimately influencing how attachment in young children in JPC is conceptualized and assessed. Furthermore, most research emphasizes behavioral outcomes rather than children's inner experiences, limiting our understanding of attachment processes. The review highlights these challenges and proposes directions for more coherent and theory-informed future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigates the association between mothers' socioeconomic status (SES) and joint physical custody among children, focusing on how the SES gradient in joint physical custody relates to its country‐specific prevalence. Background Joint physical custody has become increasingly common in post‐divorce family arrangements. While joint physical custody can have a positive impact on child wellbeing, it is more prevalent in higher‐SES families, potentially increasing inequalities in divorce effects. Existing research has overlooked how country‐level characteristics, such as the prevalence of joint physical custody, impact the SES gradient in custody. Method Using data from the “Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children” (HBSC) studies of 2005/2006 and 2009/2010, we analyzed approximately 50,000 children aged 11, 13, and 15 in 32 countries. The analysis employed a multilevel design with children nested within countries as well as meta‐regression analyses. Results Findings indicate a positive association between mothers' SES and the likelihood of joint custody. Moreover, the strength of the link between mothers' SES and joint physical custody varies significantly across countries. The country‐specific prevalence of joint physical custody moderates the link between the SES gradient and joint physical custody. The more common joint custody is in countries, the stronger the SES gradient in joint physical custody. Conclusion Countries with a higher prevalence of joint physical custody show a stronger SES gradient, suggesting that the expansion of joint physical custody may introduce socioeconomic inequalities in the consequences of divorce.

Abstract Primitive asteroids and carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) record the history of processes in the early solar system. Visible and shortwave infrared (VSWIR) spectroscopy of primitive asteroids and bulk‐powdered CCs has identified shared spectral features suggestive of shared parent body origins. However, bulk powder CC spectra are spatially unresolved and destroy textures, which hinders tying shared spectral features to particular phases, petrologic contexts, and alteration histories. This study analyzes 20 CCs measured using microimaging hyperspectral VSWIR spectroscopy, recording over 700,000 individual spectra at the ∼80 μm/pixel scale. We compare CC spectral features with asteroids using the Expanded Bus‐DeMeo taxonomy. We introduce a spectral processing pipeline using Savitzky‐Golay filtering to better capture subtle spectral features, reduce noise and enhance comparisons between asteroid classes and CC subgroups and constituent phases. Key findings include a close spectral match between CM chondrites and Cgh‐class asteroids, as well as between CV3 chondrites and L‐class asteroids. Unaltered, iron‐bearing silicate CC components are similar to “stony” asteroid spectral classes. Furthermore, taxonomy‐based separation of CC spectra also identifies features unique to CCs, for example, oxidized iron signatures in CR2 chondrite NWA 7502 and other samples indicative of terrestrial weathering. Together these CC data show that primary and secondary Fe‐bearing minerals drive the separations in the asteroid classes expressed in the Expanded Bus‐DeMeo taxonomy. These findings also underscore the value of microimaging spectroscopy and statistically motivated frameworks in conducting larger surveys to interrogate the shared record of alteration in the early solar system. The data set is released for further study.

The subject of the paper is shared custody understood as a parenting arrangement where both parents spend a similar or equal amount of time caring for their children. This type of custody is most common in Northern European countries, Belgium, France, Spain, and Slovenia today. In contrast, in Poland, families practising shared custody remain quite rare. This can result from various factors, including social, cultural and legal ones. Shared custody has not, to date, been formally regulated in the Family and Guardianship Code. The issue raised is important from the practical point of view, and very topical, as the current Commission for the Codification of Family and Guardianship Law is actively working to enact regulations regarding shared custody. The paper identifies dilemmas of shared custody in Polish family law, with consideration to American experiences – for at least two reasons. Firstly, the US is considered the cradle of shared custody; secondly, the Polish legislator is inspired by American family law.

Problem Statement: The article examines the limitations of the Colombian legal framework on child custody, showing how the absence of an explicit regulation on shared custody reproduces gender inequalities and negatively affects child well-being. Objective: Drawing on a comparative analysis of the regulations in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Puerto Rico, the study identifies regulatory models that incorporate mechanisms for parental co-responsibility and clear criteria for custody allocation, offering alternatives to address existing gaps in Colombia. Methodology: The research employs a document-based review structured around five analytical categories—denomination, criteria for adoption, procedural autonomy, visitation regime, and competent authority—which allows for the identification of institutional convergences and divergences across cases. Results: The findings show that, while certain countries have established shared custody as a general rule or preferred arrangement, Colombia continues to rely on jurisprudential precedent, generating legal uncertainty and unequal practices. Conclusion: The article concludes that explicitly incorporating shared custody into Law 1098 of 2006 would operate as a policy trigger capable of redistributing care responsibilities, strengthening gender equality, and aligning national legislation with international standards oriented toward the best interests of the child.

ABSTRACT It has been considered more or less evident that the youngest children should live with their mothers following parental separation. In Norway and a few other countries where equal parenting has been a cultural ideal, political ambition and a legal reality for some time, this seems to be changing. In this paper we explore the experiences of separated mothers of infants (0–12 months), toddlers (1–3) and young children (4–6) who had been the primary caregivers of the child before the separation, but where fathers claimed or expressed a wish for joint physical custody. We show that the mothers adapt to such wishes or claims, either voluntarily or by force. Our findings, we argue, reflect both a reduction and an expansion of motherhood: reduction as the equal status of mothers and fathers promoted through joint physical custody is achieved at the expense of the mothers and expansion as mothers are expected to ‘step aside’ and support the post-separated father in becoming equally involved in the child’s life. The study gives insight into the emotional costs joint physical custody may involve for mothers of young children – costs which should be given more consideration in political and academic debates about joint physical custody in the future.

ABSTRACT Parents are a critical group to engage in environmentalism because of their influence on future generations. However, becoming a parent can decrease pro‐environmental activities because of competing priorities and role identities that come with having children. Thus, a challenge for research and practice is to find ways to increase the pro‐environmental engagement of parents. In this commentary, we present a solution to this challenge: making environmentalism compatible with parenthood. We outline the potential to unite these goals by fostering shared parent–child environmental stewardship activities. Intergenerational environmental stewardship is foundational in many Indigenous cultures across the world, yet there is a lack of appreciation for these cultural activities in mainstream research and practice. Shared parent–child environmental engagement yields benefits for environmentalism in current and future generations, for family unity and for the well‐being of children and parents. We, as social and environmental psychologists, aim to act as a bridge between social‐environmental psychology and family systems for this special issue.

Abstract Description Cancer and chronic infections drive the development of exhausted CD8 T cells (TEX). Although TEX are distinct from conventional circulating memory T cells (TMEM), they share several features with tissue-resident memory cells (TRM) that develop after acute infection. CD8 T cells co-expressing markers of terminal exhaustion and tissue-residency are abundant in tumors, where they frequently correlate with favorable immunotherapy responses. These cells are often classified as TRM because they express residency molecules like CD103, but whether they possess memory properties is unclear. Here we show that persistent antigen stimulation in nonlymphoid tissues during chronic infection induces a population of tissue-resident TEX (TR-TEX) cells that are developmentally and functionally distinct from TRM generated after infection resolution. TR-TEX and TRM were governed by distinct transcriptional and epigenetic circuitry, indicating divergent differentiation paths. Indeed, whereas TRM could give rise to antigen-independent TMEM as well as multiple TEX subsets after reinfection, TEX progenitors required ongoing antigen stimulation and the transcription factor Tox for residency programming. TRM and TR-TEX differentially associated with cancer patient survival, and TR-TEX but not TRM responded to PD1 checkpoint inhibition. Thus, TR-TEX and TRM are divergent cellular lineages that acquire a shared residency program but play distinct roles in disease control and immunotherapy responses. Funding Sources S.L.P. was supported by a Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship. This work was supported by grants from the NIH, AI155577; AI115712; AI117950; AI108545; AI082630 and CA210944 (to E.J.W.) Topic Categories Lymphocyte Differentiation and Peripheral Maintenance (LYM)

ABSTRACT The analysis developed throughout this research showed that the study of Family Law, with emphasis on shared custody from the perspective of constitutional principles, reveals importante legal and psychological repercussions. Initially, the foundations and principles that govern Family Law are presented, such as the dignity of the human person, the best interest of the child, gender equality, affectivity, family solidarity and integral protection. These principles guide legal action in the resolution of family conflicts and in the construction of solutions that ensure the rights of all those involved, especially children and adolescents. Then, the study focuses on the institute of shared custody, addressing its different unilateral, alternate, nidal species and the criteria used by the Judiciary in its application. Shared custody is analyzed as an instrument that aims to preserve the healthy coexistence of the child with both parents, promoting their emotional and psychological development, provided that there is cooperation between parents. The effects of parental alienation and affective abandonment, recognized as forms of emotional violence that can seriously compromise child well-being, are also discussed. The work also examines the impacts of shared custody in different age groups, as well as the effects that conflicts between parents can cause on children’s mental health. The action of the Judiciary as a mediator in litigation cases is highlighted as fundamental to ensure the balance of family relationships and ensure that decisions are aligned with the best interest of the child. It is concluded that shared custody, when well structured and applied responsibly, can be an important tool for the promotion of fairer, more balanced and respectful family relationships. The effectiveness of this model depends, however, on a sensitive look at the legal system, the ability of parents to establish dialogue and the offer of psychological support whenever necessary. Key-words: Family law; Shared custody; Constitutional principles; Best interests of children and adolescents.

ABSTRACT As joint physical custody (JPC) of children after parental separation has become more prevalent across countries, we need to know more about its impacts. This study examines whether JPC is associated with mother’s paid employment given that childcare responsibilities are redistributed more equally between parents compared to mothers with sole physical custody (SPC). We provide the first comparative analysis on the relationship between a child’s physical custody arrangement type and mother’s employment across 11 European countries. Data are from the 2021 European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey (EU-SILC). Our sample includes 3,846 mothers. We employ descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression analysis and decomposition analysis. Results reveal an employment gap between mothers with JPC and SPC: mothers with JPC are more likely to be employed than mothers with SPC, even when controlling for individual-level confounding factors and country context. Moreover, results show that only around half the employment gap between JPC mothers and SPC mothers can be explained by differences in characteristics and country context. Thus, we argue that JPC is likely to have an independent role on mothers’ employment, and JPC eases the constraints of mother’s paid work opportunities.

ABSTRACT This article explores parents' narratives on changes, continuities, and critical moments for change in parental responsibilities. Parental responsibilities are gendered in the global North in general, including in Finland, the context of this study. Earlier research emphasizes the stagnant nature of gendered responsibilities over time. Three waves of qualitative longitudinal interviews with parents of under school-aged children in Finland were utilized as data. A total of 87 interviews were analyzed with the narrative method, resulting in three different narrative types. Two of the narratives highlight continuity, the first by demonstrating shared parenting responsibilities through the early years, and the second one the stabilization or even gradual increase of the mother's main responsibility in care. The third narrative shows changes in sharing parental responsibilities, with fathers temporarily increasing their responsibility in childcare. The study suggests that once couples adopt distinct, gendered responsibilities as parents, these responsibilities can later be difficult to renegotiate. However, gradual, or temporal changes might occur as parents adapt to critical moments taking place in their family or societal contexts. Societal actions, including policy-level support and family-friendly work–life practices for mothers and fathers, are needed to enhance gender-equality from the very beginning of parenthood.

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study examines patterns of informal and formal shared parenting—and potential disconnects between the two—comparing divorced and never‐married parents.BackgroundExisting research on shared parenting—where children spend time with both parents—largely focuses on formal shared placement among divorced parents. Less is known about shared placement for never‐married parents, and little research exists for either population examining extended time with children (informal shared parenting). A framework recognizing administrative burden suggests differences may exist, reflecting greater burdens in establishing formal shared placement for never‐married compared with divorced parents.MethodData are drawn from the 1994 to 2020 Child Support Supplements (CSS) to the Current Population Survey (CPS) using a sample of divorced (n = 15,284) and never‐married (n = 14,911) custodial mothers. Trends and levels of formal shared placement and informal shared parenting are documented using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regressions.ResultsDivorced and never‐married parents have similar likelihoods of informal shared parenting; yet divorced parents have twice the likelihood of a formal shared placement agreement. A sizable portion of never‐married parents are spending significant time with their child, but this is unlikely to be formally recognized.ConclusionFormal and informal shared parenting time is increasing for both divorced and never‐married parents. Overlooking measures of informal shared time risks disproportionately underestimating contributions of never‐married noncustodial parents who are more likely to be fathers of color with limited economic resources.ImplicationsAs more families share parenting time, differential administrative burdens by marital status in establishing formal shared placement may exacerbate inequalities.

This study aims to examine and further analyze the legal reasons that underlie the decision to establish shared parenting as a solution for resolving child custody disputes that were applied by the Gedong Tataan Religious Court judge as stated in his decision number 0334/Pdt.G/2019/ PA.Gdt. Research Results That the context of the parkara which is the object of study in this thesis research stems from the divorce lawsuit and child custody dispute (Haḍānah) filed by "S N bint I" as the Plaintiff against "E R Bin I H" as the Defendant. From the result of their marriage, they were blessed with one child (named RA, aged 4 years and 6 months). In legal considerations the Judge in deciding cases of child custody disputes is based on reasons for the best interests of the child, and in order to prevent a prolonged conflict between the Plaintiff and the Defendant as parents, besides that based on the facts the Judge believes that the Plaintiff and Defendant have the psychological skills to carry out their parenting duties. , and have good ethics and morals, which are expected to be emulated by the children they care for. In addition, the norms that underlie the judge's legal considerations include provisions in the law related to child protection, exercising discretion over the interpretation of the provisions of Article 105 of the KHI as well as the provisions of Islamic law. The legal considerations used by the judge in deciding the a quo case emphasized that child care is not only related to the realization of maintaining offspring (al-nasl), preserving the soul (al-nafs), and reason (al-aql) at the al-dar-riat level, but at the same time also religion (al-din) at the level of al-tahsiniyat

The article is devoted to the study of gender aspects of criminal liability for persistent failure to perform duties related to the care of a child. Based on the analysis of 725 guilty verdicts under Article 166 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, delivered between 2010 and May 2025, it was found that only 59 verdicts found both parents guilty, and 55 verdicts found only the father guilty. Moreover, mothers were convicted in the vast majority of the remaining verdicts (as many as 611) under this article. It has been established that, in general, the analyzed decisions do not contain any mention of the person who is the father of the victim child, or his role in the process of caring for him. This indicates that judges ignore the principle of gender equality. It is concluded that long-standing gender stereotypes in the family and domestic sphere (the mother's priority role in childcare, different distribution of responsibilities between parents for the child, etc.) have a significant impact even on the administration of justice. It is proved that the new challenges associated with the full-scale invasion (evacuation, loss of housing, breadwinner, forced sole responsibility of the mother for the child) have only exacerbated the existing problem. The author cites the provisions of a number of international standards in the field of gender equality, including those concerning the joint fulfillment of family responsibilities by both parents. Particular attention is paid to the legal positions of the ECHR, which are uniform and exemplary. The author shows that they emphasize the need to overcome gender stereotypes in this area, the prominent role of the father in caring for the child, and the priority of joint parental custody. It is established that in 2024, the national judicial system for the first time applied the model of joint physical parental custody of a child. The author concludes that the process of overcoming gender stereotypes in this area has intensified at the law enforcement level. The author substantiates the need to use this approach as a guideline for judges when considering gender-sensitive cases, including those under Article 166 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The author emphasizes the need to conduct awareness-raising activities among law enforcement officers, in particular judges, to raise their awareness of the value of gender equality, the need to ensure it, and to make legal decisions based on a gender approach.

This paper reports findings from a mixed-methods study, which aimed to examine challenges in shared parenting among racial minority women survivors of domestic violence who have a young child under the age of 4. Fifteen racial minority women were among the 84 respondents who first participated in an online questionnaire survey to study shared parenting experiences. Based on the questionnaire survey findings, we developed semi-structured questions and invited the surveyed women to participate in an in-depth individual interview. Five of the 15 racial minority women who participated in the survey were interviewed. These five women were no longer in their heterosexual relationships with the perpetrator of violence. From the quantitative data analysis, racial minority women in this study more frequently experienced physical hurt, excessive texting from ex-partners, self-reported anxiety, financial hardship, and a lack of social support, compared with the non-racialized participants. Findings from the qualitative interviews suggest that racial minority women in this study shared strong resilience in coping with all of these challenges. They value family ties, choose to forgo the court system, stay positive, and embrace new intimate relationships. This paper shares rare and valuable findings from these racial minority women survivors and discusses implications on education and practice for service providers.