DETERMINANTS OF CHILD-CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS AT DIVORCE

Using data on 509 cases from a census of a large Michigan county's divorces involving minor children filed in the early 1980s, we model the likelihood that mothers versus fathers will receive sole physical custody in final judgments. Substantial gender differences in the effects of socioeconomic and legal process variables on custody outcomes are found. The odds of father custody are enhanced when children are older, especially when the oldest child Is male, when the father is the plaintiff and when a court investigation has occurred during divorce proceedings. Odds of father custody are reduced by higher educational level for mothers, higher income for fathers, paternal unemployment, and support arrearages prior to final divorce judgments.