IV ISA Forum of Sociology (February 23-28, 2021)

79

Living in Joint Physical Custody Care Arrangements after Parental Break-up

Abstract Submissions Closed

RC06 Family Research (host committee)

Language: English

Session Type: Oral

Joint physical custody (JPC), a parental care arrangement in which a child lives with each parent about equally after separation or divorce, is an increasingly common phenomenon in many countries. It is the expression of one of the big challenges of the 21^st century–gender equality: Joint physical custody, evidence suggests, is a promising arrangement for fathers, mothers, and children that meets the needs of modern families where parents share work, household, and childcare. For decades, decisions about parenting plans after separation or divorce were strongly connected to traditional beliefs and visitation guidelines, which saw the mother as the best primary caretaker for children. This is certainly not an adequate perspective anymore because societal changes, such as increasing labor force participation of mothers as well as fathers who participate in caring for their children, challenge these traditional ideas. However, joint physical custody seems to have both positive and negative effects for parents as for children. Thus, research must put more effort into identifying the circumstances in which joint physical custody works, even under the condition of ongoing conflicts between the parents, to serve the best interest of all family members. This session seeks papers dealing with joint physical custody care arrangements. Theoretical and empirical (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods) contributions from a national or an international perspective are welcome. Possible topics include for example parent’s well-being, children’s well-being, care cycles, the impact of conflict, and relations with other members of the family such as stepparents, siblings or grandparents. All topics are considered.