The Meaning of Home for Children and Young People After Parental Separation

Key Insights for Practice

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6416166
AutoresBelinda Fehlberg (0000-0002-5955-8899, Melbourne Law School Melbourne Victoria Australia), Bruce M Smyth (0000-0003-3514-5325, Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia), Monica Campos (0000-0002-8360-9561), Monica Campo (Sexual Assault Services Victoria Melbourne Victoria Australia), Kristin Natalier (0000-0002-2867-1135, Flinders University Adelaide South Australia Australia)
Año2025
Volumen60
Número3
Páginas922-933
Fecha de publicación2025-05-19
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAustralian Journal of Social Issues (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0157-6321 • E-ISSN: 1839-4655
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajs4.70033
OpenAlexW4410481212
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas25

This article draws on a recent study of the meaning of home for children and young people after parental separation to provide a way of shifting adult attention beyond prevailing focus on the amount of time children spend with each parent, towards a greater attentiveness to children and young people's views on how their living arrangements look and can work effectively for them. Face‐to‐face, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 68 children and young people aged 8–18 years, and 39 of their parents. Participants were recruited mainly through social media, family and relationship support services, and professional networks. Overall, we found that children and young people's descriptions of what home meant to them and how they sought to make a home conveyed the centrality of relationships and safety to shaping home. We consider how our findings can be used by family law system professionals in their work with families to support more meaningful discussions about post separation parenting, at a time of significant legislative change designed to encourage greater focus on children's best interests and voices

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