Unmarried Parents And Child Custody

Over 25 years ago, in a survey that was conducted in the United Kingdom regarding the question about marriage before having children, showed that a resounding majority believed that couples should be married when asked whether people in the United Kingdom should be married first and then have children.  This survey showed that at least 70% of people there believed that married couples make the best parents.

Statistics regarding the above question have recently changed. People are now indifferent as to whether or not parents should be married. In Britain, 35% of people openly disagree as to whether or not parents should be married when having children while 37% still believe marriage is important. This change reflects a radical turn in society’s view on marriage and that marriage does not constitute the modern family unit.

Older citizens in the United Kingdom, as well as those with overwhelming religious convictions, are as expected, those that are in favour of marriage. Some of those who belong to the Anglican church, however, have begun to believe that marriage does not impact a couple’s ability to become good parents.

The recent National Census that took place in the UK, include the percentages of people who believe that there are significant differences between married and unmarried couples living together. The majority of people in that country, three-quarters to be exact, believe that there are no significant differences between the two family setups. They believe that the separation of the unmarried couple is just as traumatic as those failed marriages.

Views on marriage, and the beliefs on same-sex marriage, is taking an overwhelming step in a direction that considers it normal to raise a family where parents are either unmarried or not even co-habiting. There might be people who argue that this may have an impact on the way children are raised and that they may have long-lasting psychological repercussions. In cases where proper parenting techniques, as well as parental love and care, are used, there is nothing to state that such a family setup cannot work. Only time will tell.

When it comes to child custody matters, if the parents were never married, the mother will have sole legal and physical custody until a court order determines differently. The parent who does not have custody will be responsible for paying child support, medical support, and childcare support.

For more family law news make sure you continue checking our blog page. If you require the services of an attorney that specialises in Family Law and matters regarding child custody, then contact Joselowitz and Andrews Attorneys today.