# Americans believe children of divorce should split time with parents

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/children-of-divorce-should-split-time-with-parents/
Published: 2026-07-13

> Featured topic in Culture.

Two-thirds of U.S. adults (66.1%) say children whose parents separate or divorce are best off spending about equal time with both parents, alternating between homes; just 3.5% say living with the mother all of the time is best.

## Overview: Where children should live after divorce

Two-thirds of adults (66.1%) say the best arrangement for children after a separation or divorce is about equal time with both parents, regularly alternating between homes. Just 3.5% say living with the mother all of the time is best, and 0.8% say the father all of the time.

The preference for keeping children with family carries into removal cases. When children cannot live with their biological parents, 48.4% say legal guardianship with a relative is usually better than adoption.

## Equal time is the clear favorite

About two-thirds of adults (66.1%) say children whose parents separate or divorce are best off spending about equal time with both parents, regularly alternating between homes.

Another 18.1% say living with both parents but mostly with the mother is best. Full-time arrangements draw little support: 3.5% say the mother all of the time and 0.8% say the father all of the time.

## Relatives beat adoption when parents are out

When children cannot live with their biological parents because of abuse and neglect, 48.4% of adults say legal guardianship with a relative is usually better than adoption, while 19.9% say adoption is usually better.

Another 31.7% see the two as similar. Adults 18-29 call them similar far more often than adults 65 and older (47.9% vs 21.2%).

## Broad support for checking on newborns

About two-thirds of adults (65.5%) say Child Protective Services should always assess a newborn's safety before hospital discharge if the parents previously lost custody of other children due to abuse and neglect. Another 27.9% say sometimes, and just 2.4% say never.

## Supporting evidence

### 66.1% say about equal time with both parents is the best arrangement after a separation or divorce; just 3.5% say the mother all of the time.

Question: To live with…

Note: Shows the living arrangement adults think is best for children after a separation or divorce; 66.1% say about equal time with both parents.

Topline:

- …about equal time with both parents regularly alternating between homes: 66.1%
- …with both parents but mostly with the mother: 18.1%
- None of the above: 9.1%
- …the mother all of the time: 3.5%
- …with both parents but mostly with the father: 2.3%

### 48.4% say guardianship with a relative is usually better than adoption; 19.9% say adoption is usually better.

Question: When children cannot live with their biological parents due to abuse and neglect, is it better for them to reside in legal guardianship with a relative or to be adopted?

Note: Shows whether adults think guardianship with a relative or adoption is better for children who cannot live with their parents; 48.4% say guardianship is usually better.

Topline:

- Guardianship is usually better: 48.4%
- Guardianship is similar to adoption: 31.7%
- Adoption is usually better: 19.9%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-06-03 → 2026-06-08
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.1%
- Module: A
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Sources

- [To live with…](https://reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026#q-23): reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026: Shows the living arrangement adults think is best for children after a separation or divorce; 66.1% say about equal time with both parents.
- [Should Child Protective Services assess the safety of newborns prior to hospital discharge if their parents previously lost custody to other children due to abuse and neglect?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026#q-8): reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026: Shows how often adults think CPS should assess newborn safety before hospital discharge when parents previously lost custody; 65.5% say always.
- [When children cannot live with their biological parents due to abuse and neglect, is it better for them to reside in legal guardianship with a relative or to be adopted?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026#q-9): reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026: Shows whether adults think guardianship with a relative or adoption is better for children who cannot live with their parents; 48.4% say guardianship is usually better.

## Citation

Verasight PAA Omnibus Survey #2026-051, fielded June 3-8, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.1%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026#q-23](https://reports.verasight.io/r/paa-2026#q-23)