Making the allocation of custodial rights gender neutral and providing both parents equal custodial rights in the event of a divorce can have ambiguous effect on future well-being of the children growing up in a divided household.

Introduction of joint custody laws can tilt intra-household bargaining position against the mothers. Research shows that when mothers' bargaining position gets weakened, investment in children's human capital development diminishes.

This paper finds evidence that introduction to joint custody laws has actually been detrimental to the future well-being of the children in the United States.

Growing up under joint custody laws leads to worse academic outcomes and worse labor market outcomes.