Data-devoid WSJ article on 50/50 presumptions a relic of yesteryear

Hundreds of comments in support of equality, dads and common sense carry the day

Friday the Wall Street Journal published Kentucky’s Equal-Custody Experiment: A law setting 50-50 shared custody as the state’s standard was hailed as a victory for fathers, but critics say it puts mothers and children at risk.

Summary

The the article story is a smash-up of anecdotes from dads who wanted more time with their kids and women who claim they were abused by their husbands and won’t divorce for fear of having to co-parent with a violent man. The article contains no data on family violence trends in Kentucky or elsewhere but relies on unsubstantiated anecdotes. Long-term child outcomes are not considered, but divorce rates are feature prominently even though 43% of Kentucky children are born to unmarried parents.

The article ultimately advances the cause by failing to substantiate concerns about equal parenting presumptions and providing a platform for hundreds of comments that overwhelmingly support 50/50 presumptions.

Full disclosure of my biases here.

• The WSJ article was wr…