Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark
The Scandinavian countries make interesting samples for the study of shared parenting as they are characterized by some of the highest levels of father involvement and gender equality globally. Despite numerous studies, data from Denmark is noticeably absent in the international debate, partly due t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223574/full |
| _version_ | 1797635041926316032 |
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| author | Kristian Sandberg |
| author_facet | Kristian Sandberg |
| author_sort | Kristian Sandberg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Scandinavian countries make interesting samples for the study of shared parenting as they are characterized by some of the highest levels of father involvement and gender equality globally. Despite numerous studies, data from Denmark is noticeably absent in the international debate, partly due to a researcher preference for publishing in Danish. Here, I present an overview of the increase in father involvement in Denmark since the 1960s and on the increase in shared parenting across recent decades. I further examine Danish law, ministerial guidelines and guidelines from major Danish public and private institutions/organizations involved in deciding or advising on parenting practices post-divorce. I relate these to international research findings as well as to findings from Danish research. Overall, I find that Danish guidelines/practice have several reservations against shared parenting and substantial father involvement, which are not considered warranted by a substantial number of scientists and which are not supported by the majority of the available evidence. It thus appears that societal transition toward increased shared parenting has happened on a largely voluntary basis in spite of official law/practice. Updated law and/or ministerial guidelines are likely necessary if politicians desire that children experience the same high degree of father involvement post-divorce that they experience in society in general. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:16:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-598f036c40754374bdbc867538e870c1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:16:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-598f036c40754374bdbc867538e870c12023-11-07T08:04:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-11-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12235741223574Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in DenmarkKristian SandbergThe Scandinavian countries make interesting samples for the study of shared parenting as they are characterized by some of the highest levels of father involvement and gender equality globally. Despite numerous studies, data from Denmark is noticeably absent in the international debate, partly due to a researcher preference for publishing in Danish. Here, I present an overview of the increase in father involvement in Denmark since the 1960s and on the increase in shared parenting across recent decades. I further examine Danish law, ministerial guidelines and guidelines from major Danish public and private institutions/organizations involved in deciding or advising on parenting practices post-divorce. I relate these to international research findings as well as to findings from Danish research. Overall, I find that Danish guidelines/practice have several reservations against shared parenting and substantial father involvement, which are not considered warranted by a substantial number of scientists and which are not supported by the majority of the available evidence. It thus appears that societal transition toward increased shared parenting has happened on a largely voluntary basis in spite of official law/practice. Updated law and/or ministerial guidelines are likely necessary if politicians desire that children experience the same high degree of father involvement post-divorce that they experience in society in general.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223574/fullshared parentingjoint physical custodyfather involvementdivorcemental healthwell-being |
| spellingShingle | Kristian Sandberg Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark Frontiers in Psychology shared parenting joint physical custody father involvement divorce mental health well-being |
| title | Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark |
| title_full | Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark |
| title_fullStr | Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark |
| title_short | Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark |
| title_sort | shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in denmark |
| topic | shared parenting joint physical custody father involvement divorce mental health well-being |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223574/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kristiansandberg sharedparentingandfatherinvolvementafterdivorceindenmark |