TY  - JOUR
A1  - Sodermans, An Katrien
A1  - Vanassche, Sofie
A1  - Matthijs, Koen
T1  - Post-divorce custody arrangements and binuclear family structures of Flemish adolescents
Y1  - 2013/03/06
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 421
EP  - 432
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2013.28.15
VL  - 28
IS  - 15
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol28/15/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol28/15/28-15.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol28/15/28-15.pdf
N2  - Background: Because of the tendency towards equal parental rights in post-divorce custody decisions, the number of children living partially in two households after divorce has increased. Because of this evolution, traditional family typologies have been challenged. 

Objective: In this study, we want to describe the post-divorce custody arrangements and family configurations of Flemish adolescents (between 12 and 18 years old). 

Methods: We use four waves of the Leuven Adolescents and Families Study, a yearly survey in which adolescents are questioned at school about their family life, family relationships and various dimensions of their wellbeing. Our research sample consists of 1525 adolescents who experienced a parental break-up. First, we present information on the proportion of adolescents in different custody arrangements, according to divorce cohort, age and sex. Next, we describe post-divorce family configurations, according to the custody arrangement and different criteria of co-residence between children and step-parents. 

Results: We observe a higher proportion of adolescents spending at least 33% of time in both parental households (shared residence) for more recent divorce cohorts. A large proportion of adolescents is living with a new partner of the mother or father, but there are important differences, according to the criteria used to define stepfamily configurations. 

Conclusions: The relatively high incidence figures of children in shared residence challenge the current dichotomous post-divorce family concept in terms of single parent families and stepfamilies. Family typologies applying a binuclear perspective are therefore increasingly meaningful and necessary. In addition, shared residence increases the chance of co-residence with at least one step-parent, and increases the proportion of children with a part-time residential stepmother. 

ER  -