The Involvement of Children in Decisions About Shared Residence

Posted: 22 Jun 2008

See all articles by Kristin Skjørten

Kristin Skjørten

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Rolf Barlindhaug

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: December 2007

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between law and social change in connection with the child's right to participate in decisions on residence. The empirical data are drawn from a survey of parents who have arranged shared residence for their children. In line with earlier research on children's participation in court disputes over contact and residence, we found that the age of the child is decisive regarding the degree of influence they have in private agreements. But, surprisingly, it was found that the educational level of the parents had a major impact on children's participation in decisions about shared residence. When we controlled for gender it turned out that highly educated fathers were least likely of all parents to report that the child had been taken into a co-decision process. This result might add a new dimension to our understanding of the relationship between law and social change.

Suggested Citation

Skjørten, Kristin and Barlindhaug, Rolf, The Involvement of Children in Decisions About Shared Residence (December 2007). International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Vol. 21, Issue 3, pp. 373-385, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1149653 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/ebm011

Kristin Skjørten (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Rolf Barlindhaug

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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