Prolegomena to a Psychoanalysis of Law and Justice

The Content of Divorce Education Programs

“…Jurisdictions may also turn to parent education interventions. Some professionals contend that parents who receive orientation in divorce education programs are better prepared for mediation, are more satisfied with the services, and seem better able to consider the needs of their children in negotiating parenting arrangements (Bienenfeld, 1988). Finally, for some courts with mediation services, divorce education programs are a way to expose the divorcing population to the concept of mediation.…”

Mediation Parent Education Programs in the California Family Courts

“…Written materials are a primary source of parent education in most California courts (Bienenfeld, 1988; Statewide Office of Family Court Services, 1988). Some written materials, such as those developed by the AFCC, are generic in nature and address issues that cut across all custody disputes, whereas other materials are developed locally to provide information on mediation processes specific to a given court.…”

“…Some written materials, such as those developed by the AFCC, are generic in nature and address issues that cut across all custody disputes, whereas other materials are developed locally to provide information on mediation processes specific to a given court. Bienenfeld (1988) found that the following topics are most commonly covered in written materials:…”

“…In still other courts, orientation meetings are offered as an optional resource for incoming FCS clients. As one would expect, compliance with mandatory meetings is high, and instructors report that parents who receive mandatory education are better prepared for mediation, are more satisfied with the service, and seem better oriented toward considering the needs of their children in negotiating parenting arrangements (Bienenfeld, 1988). However, attendance at optional programs tends to be poor, and some courts have suspended the practice, particularly in rural areas where there is a small or erratic volume of mediation cases.…”

“…The 1988 parent education data were analyzed by Florence Bienenfeld (1988). Based on her analysis, Bienenfeld postulated that the ideal parent education program is a three-tiered process including coordinated input to parents from FCS staff, judges, and attorneys.…”