50/50 Shared Parenting: Key to Children's Emotional Well-Being and Healthy Development - Family Mediation CenterFamily Mediation Center
50/50 Shared Parenting: Key to Children's Emotional Well-Being and Healthy Development
Supporting Child-Centered Outcomes Through Equal Parenting Time
Research by William V. Fabricius, Ph.D. (corresponding author) Department of Psychology Arizona State University shows in detail the benefit of
50 and 50 % sharing parental time.
Several studies, consistently shows that for children whose parents separate, 50/50 timesharing arrangements often lead to the best outcomes. Recent studies have found that on multiple measures—including academic performance, emotional and psychological well-being, behavioral adjustment, physical health, and the quality of parent–child relationships—children in shared parenting arrangements do as well as those in intact, nuclear families.
There is still a common assumption that mothers are naturally the superior parent, simply because they are the mother. However, more and more families are recognizing that equal time-sharing, when circumstances allow, honors the vital roles both mothers and fathers play in a child’s development. When fathers are given the opportunity to spend meaningful time with their children, not only do they build stronger relationships, but they are also more likely to remain active, engaged parents. This, in turn, benefits the children’s emotional security.
Research by Dr. William Fabricius, a child psychologist at Arizona State University, supports this. His findings indicate that children experience the best outcomes the closer their parenting schedule gets to an even 50/50 split. Children in arrangements where one parent is largely absent—typically only seeing them every other weekend—are more likely to feel emotionally insecure, questioning whether they truly matter to that parent. Conversely, a balanced schedule sends a clear message that both parents are committed and present.
Equal time-sharing also benefits parents. Fathers who maintain meaningful involvement tend to be healthier, both mentally and physically. Meanwhile, mothers in 50/50 arrangements often experience improved employment and income outcomes, as shown in a Spanish study. Furthermore, shared parenting fosters a more gender-balanced model for children, with moms modeling work and leadership and dads modeling caregiving and emotional support.
Laws that propose or enact a rebuttable presumption of equal parenting time typically—and wisely—include exceptions for situations involving abuse, neglect, or active addiction. Interestingly, jurisdictions that adopt these policies often report lower rates of family violence, possibly because they reduce the power struggles that commonly arise during separation.
In my work—whether as a lawyer or mediator—I focus on child-centered outcomes. It’s easy to get caught in conflict and point-scoring, but the decisions made during separation will shape a child’s future. Here are five practical steps that can help parents keep their children’s needs front and center during this difficult time:
If you have any questions about family mediation or would like to explore your options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Daniel Felipe Mandelbaum
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