자녀양육 협의를 위한 이혼중재 서비스 고찰

Divorce rate has increased drastically in Korea for recent years. Various efforts to decrease divorce and to support divorcing families are discussed at the level of national wide policy, as well as practice in the field. For the best interest of children and minimizing negative effects toward children at divorce process, co-parenting plan should be mutually agreed between parents including child custody, child support and visitation, However, services for parental negotiation to plan child rearing issues have not been sufficient to accommodate extensive needs of divorce parents in Korea. The purpose of this study is to examine the basic ideas and trends of parenting after divorce in the U.S. and to review its divorce mediation service, which is accepted as effective in dealing with child custody issue of divorcing family in respect of legal and social supporting systems. This study also covers general overview, effectiveness of mediation, and divorce mediation models. The implication provides the validity and applicability of divorce mediation in Korea as a conclusion. It highlights the necessity of mediation for parental negotiation of child rearing issues and training courses for professional mediation, which help families to achieve the ultimate goal of the best interest of children by empowering parents to be still parents after divorce.