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The Dynamics of Military Deployment in the Family System: What Makes a Parent Fit for Duty?
Author(s) -
Riggs Shelley A.,
Cusimano Angela
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
family court review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.171
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 1744-1617
pISSN - 1531-2445
DOI - 10.1111/fcre.12099
Subject(s) - software deployment , family court , military service , active duty , military personnel , duty , psychology , service member , military deployment , family law , service (business) , criminology , political science , public relations , law , engineering , business , software engineering , marketing
Due to the increasing number of married servicemembers with children, the family court system is seeing more divorce and custody cases involving military parents and children. The media has highlighted cases in which military members have lost custody of their children ostensibly due to extended deployments required by their military employer. In order to avoid penalizing military members for service to their country while acting in the best interests of children, it is essential that the family courts understand and take into account the unique challenges of military families. This article provides an overview of the military family experience and reviews the literature regarding the military deployment cycle, including its impact on parents, children and the family system. Developmental and contextual considerations and recommendations in the determination of custody for military children are discussed. Key Points for the Family Court Community The family attachment network model is useful in developing objective standards and identifying risk and protective factors for military families. In custody cases involving military families who have experienced deployment, assessment of current and retrospective individual and family functioning (e.g., before, during, after deployment) is necessary. Current child behaviors may be normal responses to extended separation(s) and subsequent reunion(s) with a deployed parent. Key considerations and recommendations in custody evaluations for military families are offered.