Power of Including Children in Custody Mediation (From Divorce Mediation - Perspectives on the Field, P 63-95, 1985, Craig A. Everett, ed. - See NCJ-104076)

• NCJ Number: 104080
• Author(s): R Drapkin; F Bienenfeld
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 33 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In approximiately 10 percent of divorce cases, parents litigate child custody and/or visitation issues (H. McIsaac, personal communication, May 1983).

Abstract

The children involved often feel pressured by competing parents. Including children in the mediation process has a powerful impact on both parents and children. Children are afforded the opportunity to communicate their concerns and feelings with an understanding person. They tend to leave less anxious and burdened. Many parents become more willing to focus on their hurts and disappointments. Often the greatest need of the novice child custody mediator is learning techniques of interviewing children. This article provides mediators with methods for involving children that can enhance the effectiveness of mediation. (Publisher abstract)