Coping with "absence-presence": Noncustodial fathers' parenting behaviors.

Abstract

This article is based on the view that the nature of the divorced father's involvement with his children is affected by psychological processes that enable him to separate his parental from his spousal role and identity. It argues that the ability to cope with the simultaneous absence of the spousal role and identity and presence of the paternal role and identity is a key factor in shaping the divorced father's behavior toward his children. The article illustrates the claim in 3 case studies showing (a) parental functioning marred by ongoing conflict with the children's mother, (b) disengagement, and (c) stable and consistent parental functioning within the inevitable limitations of noncustodial fatherhood.

Paternidade contemporânea: levantamento da produção acadêmica no período de 2000 a 2007

“…Os aspectos do divórcio e o apoio para a criança (Manning & Smock, 2000) foram analisados nas questões de custódia, visitas e decisões de pensões alimentícias (Skevik, 2006). Também foi discutido o nível de envolvimento dos pais que habitam e dos que não co-habitam com suas crianças (Nelson, 2004) e daqueles que optam não viver com seus filhos (Kiernan, 2006), além da análise sobre a inevitável limitação da paternidade na não-custódia (Baum, 2004). Outro ponto envolve os pais não-biológicos e sua proximidade com crianças adotivas (Eggebeen & Knoester, 2001), assim como a relação dos padrastos com seus enteados (Marsiglio & Hinojosa, 2007).…”

Internal Working Models of Attachment and Postdivorce Coparent Relationships

“…Divorce and coparenting literature describes coparenting styles that can be categorized into three types: stable, conflicted, and disengaged (Ahrons, 1995;Baum, 2004;Kruk, 1993). Each style has distinct characteristics that define behaviors and relationships between parents and their children.…”

“…One of the challenges of divorce is the redefinition of roles after separation. The ability to establish a postdivorce achieved identity is made especially difficult because of the presence of the former spouse and thus a reminder of the former spousal identity (Baum, 2004).…”

“…This model of coparenting is often the result of the inability to redefine their role as parents. Often these adults have a difficult time mourning the loss of the spouse and redefining themselves in the parental role because of the inability to separate their spousal role from their parental role (Baum, 2004).…”

“…Stable coparenting has been shown to be the most beneficial coparenting style, whereas conflictual and disengaged parenting styles have been shown to have more detrimental effects on all individuals in the family (Baum, 2004). Researchers have found that children and coparents are at greater risk for emotional harm when separated coparents are highly conflictual (Kelly, 1998(Kelly, , 2000Garber, 2001;Hetherington, 1982).…”