Equal Protection Guarantees in Child Custody Determinations: The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits family courts from rationing parenting time or awarding primary custody based on gender stereotypes, maternal preferences, or traditional marital roles (Palmore v. Sidoti). Both fit parents possess equal, fundamental constitutional standing to raise their children. State practices creating unequal custody awards violate constitutional mandates unless justified by a compelling state interest executed through least restrictive means.
Remember that many Ph.D.'s will refer to "shared parenting". Don't let them get away with that. Insist on equal parenting as the starting point.
Go to the post on equal parenting stats to support your argument that shared parenting must start with "equal!"
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