Restrictive Gatekeeping

Restrictive Gatekeeping

Mother of The Motherless, and Fathers of The Fatherless: We know your pain.


"Research shows children of divorce show the best long-term adjustment when they enjoy quality relationships with both parents. When a parent is trying to minimize the other parent’s involvement with the child without justification, then he or she is engaging in restrictive gatekeeping and this will be harmful to the child. When a parent is supportive of the other parent’s relationship with child and engages in gate-opening behaviors to help with access and involvement, then this represents facilitative gatekeeping."

~ William G. Austin, Ph.D.