Question 1

Generally speaking, in the past when a marriage was dissolved, custody was granted to
A) the mother.
B) the father.
C) the extended family.
D) local foster homes.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

The Tender Years Doctrine
A) Separated issues of financial support and custody and said that the mother was the natural custodian of the child and, therefore, maternal preference should be the rule in divorce cases.
B) Paternal preference should be the rule in divorce cases because the father could support the child financially, which is very important during the early, "tender" years of life.
C) Was a document written by radicals of the day, advocating a higher tolerance of divorce in our culture.
D) Children should be able to choose which parent they would like to live with.

Accepted Answer

The Tender Years Doctrine posited that during their early, formative years, children would be better off under the care of their mothers. This principle influenced custody decisions by favoring mothers over fathers, reflecting societal beliefs about gender roles and caregiving during the time it was prevalent.

Question 3

In the 1970's, the "best interests of the child" doctrine
A) challenged maternal preference rules.
B) resulted in sharp curtailments of alimony in divorce cases.
C) shapes the evaluation that mental health professionals use in custody evaluations.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The "best interests of the child" doctrine in the 1970s challenged maternal preference rules, influenced the reduction of alimony in divorce cases, and shaped the criteria used by mental health professionals in custody evaluations, reflecting a holistic approach to family law that prioritizes the child's welfare in various legal contexts.

Question 4

Several problems created by vague best interest standards are
A) they make the outcome of custody cases difficult to predict
B) similar custody cases cane be decided differently, which seems unfair
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Accepted Answer

The vague nature of best interest standards in custody cases can lead to unpredictability in outcomes and inconsistencies across similar cases, which can appear unfair.

Question 5

The Primary Care Doctrine was a doctrine that_______ 	and was _______
A) replaced the Tender Years Doctrine in West Virginia and other states soon after; appealing because it acknowledged the importance of the mother's traditional role, but, at the same time, gave custody to those men who have been deeply involved in the day to day life of their children
B) was instituted before the Tender Years Doctrine; appealing because it awarded custody of the child to the parent who had the best financial means to support him or her, and, therefore, was primary care-taker.
C) Was an amendment to the Tender Years Doctrine; was appealing because it guaranteed medical coverage for the child by designated him or her to the parent who was best equipped in this fashion
D) Never was passed; disregarded because of its implausibility

Accepted Answer

The Primary Care Doctrine replaced the Tender Years Doctrine, recognizing the importance of the mother's role while also considering the involvement of fathers in their children's lives, thus moving towards a more equitable approach in custody decisions.

Question 6

The children of fathers who have sole custody
A) have more problems than when raised by a single mom
B) have fewer problems than when raised by a single mom
C) have a higher potential to become delinquent
D) have a lower potential to become defiant in school

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that children in the custody of single fathers often fare better in various aspects, including fewer behavioral problems and better academic performance, compared to children raised by single mothers. This can be attributed to factors such as potentially higher income levels and stability in single-father households.

Question 7

Advocates recommend joint custody because
A) the child's social support is increased.
B) it provides positive role models.
C) allows for greater financial stability.
D) All of the above
E) A and B only.

Accepted Answer

Joint custody is recommended because it increases the child's social support and provides positive role models, but it does not necessarily ensure greater financial stability.

Question 8

Some clinicians and lawyers are against joint custody because
A) parental conflict is exaggerated.
B) children may not fully grasp and learn to deal with the issue of the divorce the family is facing.
C) the child's risk for poor academic performance and depression increases.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some clinicians and lawyers are against joint...

Question 9

The growing influence of developmental psychology has led courts to give greater consideration to
A) The child's biological attachment to the mother, and, therefore, giving preference to the mother
B) The child's financial attachment to the father and, therefore, giving him preference for custody
C) The child's point of view/emotional attachment, therefore, giving preference to the psychological parent for custody
D) Letting children remain in the courtroom during custody battle proceedings.

Accepted Answer

The growing influence of developmental psychology emphasizes the importance of the child's emotional and psychological well-being, leading courts to consider the child's attachments and preferences, often favoring the psychological parent in custody decisions.

Question 10

The APA, The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The National Association of Social Workers, and the Virginia Psychological Association, researched the effects of gay parenting upon children. They discovered that
A) Those who are raised by homosexuals are more likely to have more psychological problems and are more likely to become homosexuals themselves, than those who are raised by heterosexuals
B) Those raised by homosexuals are less likely to have psychological problems and become homosexuals themselves, than those raised by heterosexuals
C) There is no overall difference in the overall psychological health or sexual orientation of children raised by homosexuals as compared with those raised by heterosexuals
D) Children with homosexual parents have an easier time adjusting in school than those raised by heterosexual parents.

Accepted Answer

Research by these organizations has found that there is no significant difference in psychological health or sexual orientation between children raised by homosexual parents and those raised by heterosexual parents.

Question 11

Problems with the above research may include
A) Parents with children who are doing well might be more likely to participate in the study than those whose children are not doing well.
B) Homosexual parents would be more likely to cooperate toward a researcher who was not unfriendly toward or skeptical about their parenting abilities.
C) Both A and B.
D) Neither A nor B.

Accepted Answer

Both choices A and B describe potential biases in the research sample. A) suggests a selection bias where parents of children who are doing well might be more inclined to participate, possibly skewing results to appear more positive. B) indicates a response bias where homosexual parents might respond more favorably or be more willing to participate if they perceive the researcher as supportive, which could also affect the study's outcomes.

Question 12

When determining whether or not a parent is fit to have custody over a child, if a parent has a mental illness,
A) they are automatically deemed unfit by the court, and the child is given to the "psychological parent."
B) the court looks at whether the parent's illness affects his or her parenting ability or relationship with the child.
C) the child is given to the parent without the mental illness.
D) It is possible that parent with the mental illness can get custody, but if he or she does, a live in nurse or chaperone must accompany parent and child at all times.

Accepted Answer

The court evaluates if the mental illness impacts the parent's ability to care for the child or their relationship, rather than automatically deeming them unfit.

Question 13

The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act of 1970
A) Directs judges to consider the child's wishes in a custody battle.
B) Directs the judge to base his final decision solely upon the child's wishes.
C) Directs the judge to consider the wishes of the primary care parent..
D) Directs the judge to base his decision solely on the wishes of the primary care parent.

Accepted Answer

The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act of 1970 directs judges to consider the child's wishes in a custody battle, among other factors, but not to base the decision solely on those wishes.

Question 14

In custody evaluations, the evaluator tries to discover which parent is the best fit for custody. Through this process, the evaluator
A) remain neutral and should avoid accepting any member of the family as a client after the evaluation/communicate with one side of the family.
B) should pick one parent to side with before and after the evaluation.
C) should side with and communicate with the child only.
D) none of the above.

Accepted Answer

Evaluators in custody evaluations must remain neutral and unbiased throughout the process. They should not accept any family member as a client after the evaluation or communicate with one side of the family exclusively, as this could compromise their impartiality and the integrity of the evaluation.

Question 15

Research on mediation has shown that
A) Mediation reduces the number of cases going to litigation and allows settlements to be reached in about half of the time
B) Mediation leads to more joint custody awards, which is generally more satisfying to the non-custodial parent than sole custody with visitation
C) Mediated custody agreements tend to break down at a higher rate than other custody agreements
D) All of the above
E) Only A and B

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research on mediation has shown that
A) Mediation...

Question 16

What is the tender years doctrine?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the tender years doctrine?...

Question 17

What is the best interest standard?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the best interest standard?...

Question 18

What has been the effect of the review of custody specific tests used in assessing the parents in a custody dispute?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What has been the effect of the...

Question 19

What evidence is there that divorce is bad for children?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What evidence is there that divorce is...

Question 20

What is joint custody? How does it impact the children in the family? What contraindications would you see to joint custody arrangements?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is joint custody? How does it...

Quiz 13: Child Custody

Generally speaking, in the past when a marriage was dissolved, custody was granted to

The Tender Years Doctrine

In the 1970's, the "best interests of the child" doctrine

Several problems created by vague best interest standards are

The Primary Care Doctrine was a doctrine that_ and was _

The children of fathers who have sole custody

Advocates recommend joint custody because

Some clinicians and lawyers are against joint custody because

The growing influence of developmental psychology has led courts to give greater consideration to

The APA, The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The National Association of Social Workers, and the Virginia Psychological Association, researched the effects of gay parenting upon children. They discovered that

Problems with the above research may include

When determining whether or not a parent is fit to have custody over a child, if a parent has a mental illness,

The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act of 1970

In custody evaluations, the evaluator tries to discover which parent is the best fit for custody. Through this process, the evaluator

Research on mediation has shown that

What is the tender years doctrine?

What is the best interest standard?

What has been the effect of the review of custody specific tests used in assessing the parents in a custody dispute?

What evidence is there that divorce is bad for children?

What is joint custody? How does it impact the children in the family? What contraindications would you see to joint custody arrangements?