David Kotsibie
April 30, 2020
Research examines shared parenting for mothers with young children
Shared parenting can be something of a thorny issue. 聽Men鈥檚 groups have lobbied to make shared parenting the 鈥渄efault option鈥 in separation and divorce, while many feminist groups and allies have been in opposition. However, the only current Canadian legal presumption in separation and divorce matters is the 鈥渂est interests of the child鈥 standard.
A research team led by Faculty of Social Work professor Dr. Beth Archer-Kuhn, PhD, is trying to inform these debates聽by addressing gaps in the research.
Is shared parenting better for kids and families?
There is evidence that shared parenting can be better for kids 鈥斅燽ut only in particular situations. As Archer-Kuhn explains, there are concerns about making this the default聽approach, especially when it doesn鈥檛 put the 鈥渂est interest of the child鈥 standard first.
鈥淲e know, for example, that the majority of people make their own parenting arrangements after separation and divorce,鈥 she says, 鈥渁nd many choose shared parenting.聽 However, while it鈥檚 become the default order in family court we don鈥檛 have evidence that shared parenting is the appropriate parenting arrangement for all families.鈥
In fact, preliminary research suggests that shared parenting might not be the best solution in some situations including domestic violence, children ages four and under, and in situations of high conflict.
鈥淥ur project is looking at two of those gaps,鈥 she explains. 鈥淢oms with shared parenting of young children. And those who may 鈥斅爋r may not 鈥斅爃ave experienced domestic violence. We're looking at both sides of that, so that when we hear the experiences of domestic violence, we can make sense of it.鈥
To fill in these knowledge gaps, and hopefully to change legislation and policy, Archer-Kuhn鈥檚 research team needs moms. Specifically, 300 moms who share parenting of a child or children ages four and under.聽To this point getting the word out about her recruitment has gone well in Ontario and Manitoba, but less well in this province.
Alberta a tough nut to crack
鈥淚n Alberta, the response hasn't always been as great,鈥 she says. 鈥淎 part of it has been a reaction to the idea that we're wanting to talk to moms. There is an expectation that we should want to hear from dads, too. There seems to be this inability to get past it. There are exceptions, such as a group of paediatricians and a unit at Alberta Health Services. So, we have been trying to explain that while some of our previous research has included dads, our current project focuses on addressing the gaps in the research literature to better inform policy and practice.鈥
In Ontario, for example, child welfare agencies, shelters and even Family Court have been responsive to supporting recruitment, but in Alberta she was told she couldn鈥檛 even put up recruiting posters in the waiting room at family court.
Research evidence could lead to legislation and policy changes sought by men鈥檚 groups
Archer-Kuhn hopes her 迟飞辞-测别补谤听聽national study will contribute to needed reform of current policies and legislation by providing evidence-based data to legislators and organizations looking to make evidence-informed decisions.
鈥淲hen legislation changes, everything changes,鈥 she says. 鈥淧ractices change. Agency policies change. Services available in the community change.鈥
While this is the ultimate goal of her study, she adds her research will also contribute to the well-being of children and families by better understanding what shared parenting looks like in a variety of situations, including with addictions or mental health issues聽such as anxiety and depression. She hopes her research will help the families in question come to the best possible arrangement when it comes to parenting and shared child-care duties. She鈥檚 also hoping the project will bring an understanding of the impact shared parenting has on very young children in families experiencing domestic violence.
If you鈥檙e interested in participating, or helping to spread the word, you can find more information on the study on their 聽