Key findings from research into ‘The meaning of home for children and parents after parental separation’
It’s known that parental separation is likely to result in big changes in home arrangements for children and young people, yet until recently, how children and young people think about ‘home’ after parental separation has remained unexplored in research.
Recently there has been excellent qualitative research conducted and released in relation to “The meaning of home for children and parents after parental separation”.
The key findings from this research includes:
Children were far more attuned to the quality of time spent with parents than the amount of time. The focus of children was how their parents use the time to connect with them which contrasts with the emphasis on the division of time.
For children, parental care and attentiveness mattered more than objects. In other words, the attentiveness to children’s emotional needs to their sense of home was much more important than physical possessions. The research paper noted this is consistent with previous research that has been undertaken.
Not surprisingly children found it important that they felt emotionally and physically safe. Also, not surprisingly from the parent’s perspective, it was easier for them to parent if they had a sense of financial well-being and security.
The research outcome confirms what is important for all parents to know – our children want to have a safe and secure relationship at home with each parent and it is not defined by the number of hours but rather the experience of their time with their parent.
The study has been published in the Australian Journal of Family Law and was conducted by highly regarded academics (Professor Belinda Fehlberg (Responsible Researcher), University of Melbourne, Associate Professor Kristin Natalier, Flinders University (Chief Investigator, Professor Bruce Smyth, Australian National University (Chief Investigator) and Dr Monica Campo, University of Melbourne is the Project manager and Senior Research Fellow. It is well worth reading the full published paper.
To read more about the research visit: https://law.unimelb.edu.au/research-programs/meaning-of-home
Author: David Edney, Accredited Specialist in Family Law & Independent Children’s Lawyer