Nationally, female parents are more frequently granted the majority of child custody time compared to male parents.
While courts prioritize the child's best interests in all custody decisions, national averages indicate a disparity in the allocation of custody time between genders.
National Custody Time Distribution
On a national average, custody time is distributed as follows:
| Parent Gender | Average Custody Time Granted |
|---|---|
| Female | Approximately 65% |
| Male | Approximately 35% |
This data reflects that, on average, mothers are granted significantly more custody time with their children than fathers.
Evolving Custody Trends: Shared Parenting
It is important to note that despite these national averages, there is a growing trend in family law towards promoting shared custody arrangements. Many states are increasingly awarding shared physical custody, where both female and male parents are granted an equal 50% of the time with their children. This shift reflects a legal emphasis on ensuring children maintain meaningful relationships with both parents.
This evolving approach in numerous states aims to foster joint parental involvement and co-parenting, moving away from a primary custodial parent model towards a more equitable distribution of parenting time.
