Best Interest: 5.12.2025
Post Malone and other 50/50 celebs, U.S. equal parenting laws, how to get dads more involved and all the latest research
Hello!
In this issue:
Fatherhood programs best practices + case studies
U.S. parenting law reform
Single moms forcing moms to do their share
Post Malone and other 50/50 celebs
Latest equal-parenting research
New conferences!
How to improve father involvement
In addition to obvious efforts like guaranteed paid paternity leave, workplace policies that apply to mothers and fathers equally (both of which more likely apply to more affluent and educated salaried, there are proven models to improve father involvement.
As legislators and advocates invest in fatherhood programs, consider these success models and research ...
U.S. equal parenting law news
Missouri last year passed a very strong rebuttable presumption of equal parenting law. Last week the law went into effect, commemorated by the dubiously sexistly titled article in the Southeast Missourian: “New custody law for equal time for dads begins today”
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) announced legislation last week that streamlines child custody factors from 16 to 12 passed the House on Tuesday by a 202-1 vote. Flick, a longtime advocate of 50/50 custody, proposed an amendment to require family courts to provide anyone named in a custody petition with a written copy of the new factors when decisions are made. It passed unanimously.
More here:
Single moms forcing dads to do their share
The Internet is abuzz about a rabid Reddit thread serves as a poignet vortex of the fallout of canceled reproductive rights and sexist parenting attitudes. While the equal parenting movement loves to bag on women, blaming them (us!) for being solely responsible for uninvolved fathers, in this case, the man is the AH and the internet rightfully supports …
50/50 parenting and celebs
Post Malone is in a custody battle, but shares parenting time 50/50.
Kailyn Lowry of MTV's 16 and Pregnant co-parents 50/50 with her kids' dad.
Seann William Scott (of American Pie) and ex share parenting 50/50 (even if they're squabbling).
Jesse and Michelle Lally, stars of Bravo's The Valley, share parenting time 50/50, no child support or alimony.
Joshua Jackson (Dawson's Creek) and Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen and Slim) have settled their divorce and share parenting 50/50.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are at it again — this time with Ye pointing out why semantics in custody law matter (pay attention activists): “I don't have at least 50-50 with my kids, so how is it joint custody?” he asked.
Research news
These papers related to custody, gender and child development crossed my desk in recent weeks.
If you have research you want to disseminate to the world, reach out.
Supporting Fathers Experiencing Family Breakdown: Practitioner Perspectives Hine, B.; Roy, E.M. Soc. Sci. 2025, 14, 266.
This study highlighted the urgent need for gender-inclusive support services that recognize fathers’ emotional and psychological needs during family breakdowns. It pointed out systemic underfunding and societal biases that marginalize fathers, restricting their access to adequate support.
Participants stressed the importance of transcending a “fathers’ rights” narrative to prioritize child welfare, advocating for legal reforms such as a presumption of 50:50 shared care.
The Lived Experiences of Grandparents Who Have Never Seen Their Grandchildren: A New Perspective on Grandparent Alienation Kruk, E., Varavei, H. Ageing Int 50, 25 (2025).
This article reports the results of the first-known study examining the experiences of grandparents who have never seen their grandchildren. Sixty-four grandparents participated in an in-depth research project examining their lived experiences and the challenges associated with being excluded from the lives of their grandchildren.
Grandparent alienation has profoundly negative consequences for grandparents, and this has important implications for socio-legal policy and therapeutic practice.
At What Point Does a Behavior Become Child Abuse? A Closer Look at the Chronicity of Child Maltreatment and Demographic Factors. Varavei, H., Harman, J.J. Int. Journal on Child Malt. (2025).
An original survey of three types of abusive behaviors: physical, sexual, and psychological was conducted including parental alienation, and results indicate that for nearly all the behaviors, participants rated them as only needing to occur once to be considered abusive. Findings showed significant ethnic differences across ratings.
“My Child Has Two Parents”: Swedish Women Entrepreneurs Doing and Undoing Their Motherhood. Magdalena Markowska, Helene Ahl, Lucia Naldi. Gender Work Organ. (08 May 2025)
Illustrates how a norm-breaking motherhood discourse emerges through processes of gender abating and coalescing. Child-rearing is not a woman's primary responsibility but is shared between the parents, and the public and private spheres—work and family—coalesce. A good mother is constructed as an individual who can pursue her passions and realize her dreams and who focuses on her relationship with her child through her work as an entrepreneur while mastering desirable attitudes and values in life.
CONFERENCES OF INTEREST
Men & Families (International Families Alliance)
I’m speaking!
Barbados
Sept. 9-10, 2025
Americans for Equal Shared Parenting Legislative Conference
Mark Ludwig
Boston
Sept 20, 2025
International Conference on Shared Parenting
(Someone just told me I’m speaking so I guess I am?!)
Lisbon, Portugal
Dec. 3-6 2025
Call for papers!
Not only Barbados but now Portugal too?! Wonderful!