Since the 1970s, policy-makers and advocates for mothers, fathers, and children have attempted to remedy some of the inherent problems of divorce—such as conflict over the children, delegation of decision-making responsibiities, poor communication skills, and lack of knowledge about children experiencing divorce—through state-level legislation for divorcing or divorced families. These policies have taken the forms of mandated mediation, legal presumptions for particular custodial arrangements, child support orders, divorce education programs for parents, and parenting plans. Mending Broken Families introduces social policies for divorced families by discussing their history and provides the first comprehensive assessment and review of their effectiveness.

"As a convert from pessimism to cautious optimism regarding the effects of social policies on the behavior and attitudes of families of divorce, Douglas traces the history of divorce law, mediation, divorce education, parenting plans, and custody laws in the US." - Reference and Research Book News