Traditionally, there was a strong preference for primary physical custody with the mom in custody cases in Florida.  This preference has changed as new demographic patterns have evolved.  Specifically, the increase in the number of two income families and stay at home dads as more wives work outside the home.  The shift in work patterns may be the biggest influence on the changing trend toward more balanced child custody arrangements and even more common arrangements involving primary physical custody with dad.

The primary reason for the historical preference for awarding primary custody to mom was one of availability.  Because men were primarily the breadwinners working outside the home, children spent more time with mothers in a caretaker role.  A court preference to place the child in the care of an actual parent as opposed to a childcare provider has remained consistent over the years.  When stay at home moms were common while dads typically worked outside the home, it made sense that the mother was the primary caregiver and had an advantage in custody considerations.

The change in demographics with the decline of these traditional roles has meant that changes in custody arrangements were appropriate.  Some key changes that have resulted in fathers obtaining increased timeshare arrangements with their children include the following:

• The percentage of women in the labor market rose from 20% to 75% for women of childbearing years between the period of 1990 and 1999.
• Almost half of all married women who work provide roughly half or more of the household income.
• The percentage of fathers with primary custody has increased 15% compared to 1995.

It is no longer a safe assumption that the father in a marital relationship will be the primary breadwinner and less available for the care of a couple’s minor children.  When both parents have full-time employment, it necessitates both parents being more involved in the children’s care including preparing meals, school transportation, supervision of homework and facilitation of extra-curricular activities.  This shared parenting during marriage is mirrored by an increase in Florida family courts imposing more equal time-share arrangements.

A father who wants a substantial amount of timeshare with his minor children can help facilitate this by ensuring that he has as much time to spend with the children as possible.  The amount a father shares in the everyday parenting responsibilities of his children will go a long way toward a father obtaining primary residential responsibility or a fairly equal timeshare arrangement.

The Florida child custody attorneys at Eric N. Klein & Associates represent fathers committed to preserving their relationship with their children.  We represent father’s rights in Florida divorce and child custody matters throughout Florida.  We offer a free initial consultation so contact us today at 954-580-8080.