Mothers on Trial: The Battle for Children and Custody - Softcover

Chesler, Phyllis

4.04

49 ratings by Goodreads

9780156621670: Mothers on Trial: The Battle for Children and Custody

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0156621673 ISBN 13: 9780156621670

Publisher: Harcourt, 1991

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A renowned psychologist examines the historical, cultural, and psychological bases for a mother's custody of her child and the emotional consequences on mother and child when custody is awarded to the father

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From Publishers Weekly:

Believing that mothers and children have a natural and "ineffable" right to each other's company, psychologist Chesler (Women and Madness, etc.) asserts that there is a double standard in our patriarchal society that governs the rights of women, children and child custody. In part because of the "fathers' rights" movement, she charges, unfit fathers are now granted custody with increasing frequency. Chesler's impressively annotated, broad-based study offers a historical review of custody practices and an analysis of what constitutes "fit" parents, which serves as background to individual cases of worthy mothers considered unfit because of careers, impoverishment, a voluntarily unwed state or other nonstandard ways of living. Chesler castigates the distinction made between male custodial "rights" and female custodial "obligations." She notes that millions of fathers have obtained custody by kidnapping, are often violent, average five times more income than mothers yet rarely pay child support. Joint custody should begin as joint parenting, affirms the author, in a deeply felt book that is sure to be controversial. Major ad/promo; author tour. January 13
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

What qualities make a woman a good mother, "fit" to be awarded custody of her children? Are these qualities different from those that make a father fit to have custody of his children, if he wants it? The preponderance of evidence suggests that they are, as Chesler amply illustrates: mothers are measured against an ideal, and can always be found wanting in some respect; fathers who have neglected, molested, kidnapped, beaten, and brainwashed their children are nonetheless awarded custody over the claims of the women who have been their primary (often sole) nurturers for years. This new title is similar in format to Chesler's now-classic Women and Madness and will doubtless evoke similar passions. Here she has drawn together empirical data, mythology, case studies, historical research, and political analysis to produce a stunning and exhaustive indictment of the treatment of mothers by the modern justice system. Highly recommended. Beverly Miller, Boise State Univ. Lib., Id.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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