Bench Book for Assessing Parental Gatekeeping in Parenting Disputes: Understanding the Dynamics of Gate Closing and Opening for the Best Interests of Children

Authors

William G. Austin, independent practice
Linda Fieldstone
Marsha Kline Pruett, Smith CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Publication Title

Journal of Child Custody

Abstract

This Bench Book summarizes theory, research, and a forensic assessment model of parental gatekeeping relevant for understanding and resolving child custody disputes. This concise format is geared primarily as a resource for judges, though it may be equally valuable to evaluators, parenting coordinators, and others. Gatekeeping encompasses a common statutory factor of support for the other parent-child relationship. The gatekeeping model includes a continuum ranging from facilitative to restrictive gatekeeping. Behavioral examples are presented. Implications of a gatekeeping analysis for crafting parenting plans are described, including in relocation cases and when there has been a history of intimate partner violence.

Keywords

Best Interests of the Child, gatekeeping, parental conflict

Volume

10

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

16

DOI

10.1080/15379418.2013.778693

ISSN

15379418

Rights

© 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Comments

Archived as published. Open access article.

Recommended Citation

Austin, William G.; Fieldstone, Linda; and Pruett, Marsha Kline, "Bench Book for Assessing Parental Gatekeeping in Parenting Disputes: Understanding the Dynamics of Gate Closing and Opening for the Best Interests of Children" (2013). School for Social Work: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/ssw_facpubs/68