The DOI matches its Crossref record; 32 of the 32 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Bench Book for Assessing Parental Gatekeeping in Parenting Disputes: Understanding the Dynamics of Gate Closing and Opening for the Best Interests of Children
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.
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“judges implicitly assume mothers are the ‘gatekeepers’ of fathers' relationships with their children (Austin et al., 2013).”
From Post‐separation abuse: A concept analysis (2023) · cites this paper as Austin et al., 2013
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Cites
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Research works printed but not linked: 7
- Austin , W. G. ( 2005a , February ). Considering the process of support for the other parent and gatekeeping in parenting evaluations . Colorado IDC News: The Newsletter of the State of Colorado Interdisciplinary Committee , 7 ( 1 ), 10 – 13 . Available at www.child-custody-services.com
- Austin , W. G. (2005b). The child and family investigator's evaluation for the relocation case. In R. M. Smith (Ed.), The role of the child and family investigator and the child's legal representative in Colorado (pp. C9–1–C9–28). Denver : Colorado Bar Association.
- Austin , W. G. ( 2011 ). Parental gatekeeping in custody disputes . American Journal of Family Law , 25 ( 4 ), 148 – 153 .
- Austin W. G. Drozd L. M. & Dale M. S. ( 2012 June 7 ). Intimate partner violence relocation gatekeeping and child custody evaluation. Workshop presented at Association of Family and Conciliation Courts 49th Annual Conference. Chicago IL.
- Dore , M. K. ( 2004 ). The “friendly parent” concept: A flawed factor for child custody . Loyola Journal of Public Interest Law , 6 , 41 – 56 .
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“…impact of parental alienation allegations in family courts is gendered: mothers accused of parental alienation were more likely to lose custody than fathers (Meier, 2020) and judges implicitly assume mothers are the ‘gatekeepers’ of fathers' relationships with their children (Austin et al., 2013).”
BackgroundAssociations Between Maternal Gatekeeping and Fathers’ Parenting Quality
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Metadata
- Authors
- Austin, W. G., Fieldstone, L., & Pruett, M. K.
- Affiliations
- Independent Practice, Lakewood and Steamboat Springs
- Family Court Services, 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County
- Smith College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Austin, William G.
- Venue
- Journal of Child Custody
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-01
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-16
- ISSN
- 1537-940X (ISSN-L)
- 1537-9418
- OpenAlex
- W2014627349
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3
- FWCI
- 13.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Child Custody (publishedVersion)
- Smith ScholarWorks (Smith College) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Social Sciences › Law › Family and Matrimonial Law
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Keywords
- parental gatekeeping, child custody disputes, best interests of the child, parenting plans, intimate partner violence
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