Young people’s reflections on their experiences of shared care and relationships with their parents

Abstract

Objective: The present study examined young people’s reflections on their experiences of parental and child–parent relationships when raised in shared care with low inter-parental conflict, post-separation. Background: Shared care arrangements are becoming increasingly common. However, little research has been done about children and young people’s perspectives and experiences of it. Method: In-depth interviews of one to three hours were conducted with 12 young people who were living or had lived in shared care arrangements in New Zealand. Transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The themes identified from participants’ accounts pointed to the importance of each parent being committed to cultivating an emotionally positive relationship with their child in the context of an amicable, cooperative parenting alliance; and the requirement of parents and step-parents’ sensitivity and care when a parent re-partnered. Participants struggled emotionally when these were not achieved. It was evident that participants were sensitive about parental tension and apportioning time fairly. Conclusion: More attention needs to be given to supporting separating parents to achieve quality relationships with their child and a cordial, child-focused parenting alliance. Further qualitative research about children and young people’s experiences will be useful in confirming and extending these findings.