“From a child’s perspective, joint custody has an inherent appeal. It allows each parent to be actively involved in the child’s life, and to have meaningful input with respect to important decisions. It may help ameliorate a child’s sense of loss, and provide ongoing emotional reassurance that both parents still care – and care equally. Where separated parents can make joint custody work, the child – and the entire family unit – are likely to benefit.
But joint custody will only work if the parents have the desire and the capacity to make it work. It is not a risk-free option. In the wrong family circumstances, a joint custody order can perpetuate hostilities, indecision, and power struggles. Children – particularly children already exposed to the upset of family breakdown – look to their parents for love, guidance, stability, protection, and consistency. They need to have confidence that adult decisions will be made quickly, properly and uneventfully.”