Citation

Johnston JR, Girdner LK, Sagatun-Edwards I. Behav. Sci. Law 1999; 17(3): 305-322.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/(SICI)1099-0798(199907/09)17:3<305::AID-BSL348>3.0.CO;2-F

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study systematically compared parents in abducting families with families litigating custody. Findings indicate that risks for parental abduction of children are multidetermined by: (1) a heightened concern about very young children being exposed to neglectful, endangering, or criminal environments by the other parent; (2) unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse; (3) heightened distrust of and less respect for law and authority; and (4) a reluctance to seek help from the courts. Abducting families were also predominantly socially and economically disadvantaged: parents were less likely to have been married to one another; they had lower incomes, were more poorly educated, and were disproportionately members of minority racial and ethnic groups. The social policy dilemmas of identifying these differences as risk factors are discussed together with suggestions for risk management. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en