Parenting Time and Co-Parenting for Unmarried Parents

This editorial discusses the special issue which focuses on parents who were not married at the time of their children’s birth. Because their relationships are not covered by marital family law, they do not have the clearly established rights and responsibilities that divorcing parents have following their breakup. The articles in this issue examine the special challenges that unmarried parents face, why it is important to address their parenting and co-parenting situation, and the approaches that child support agencies, courts, and federally funded programs have developed to meet their needs. The issue begins with an article that provides an overview of the increased prevalence of unmarried families, their relationships and parenting dynamics, the rapid disengagement of many fathers, the effects on child well-being, and the importance of quality parental relationships in keeping fathers engaged and reducing negative influences on children. This Special Issue is intended to further the growing dialogue in the family court community on how to serve the growing numbers of unmarried parents and maximize the likelihood that their children will have meaningful relationships with both parents and be protected from physical and emotional harm.

Pearson, J. (2015), Parenting Time and Co-Parenting for Unmarried Parents. Family Court Review, 53: 217–220.