Like A Mother

When it comes to gender, money and parenting, there are two prevailing issues: Dads who do not live with their kids are barely involved. (Just 22% of dads who live apart from their children see them more than once weekly, per Pew.) That pay gap will. not. close. Here’s the answer: Start all custody negotiations at a default 50-50 visitation and custody, with no child support or alimony. While there is great movement towards equally shared visitation time in at least 20 states, the majority of family courts still default to some version of model that has prevailed in separated families for decades: Dad pays mom child support, and maybe alimony. Mom is primary custodian and dad gets “Friday night special” — every-other weekend, and Wednesday night dinners. This antiquated arrangement only reinforces the sexist notions: Women are incapable of supporting themselves. Fathers are inferior parents. Indeed, this outdated agreement holds women, men, families and the economy back. In this episode I argue for a 50