The Effects of Parental Dating on Latency Children Living with One Custodial Parent

Abstract

This exploratory study is the first step in understanding what the effects of parental dating are on latency children living with one custodial parent. Currently, there is no research available on this topic. A convenience sample of eleven children was interviewed for one hour to obtain their viewpoint on parental dating. The analysis and conclusions are tentative, however, consistent themes emerged. Major points discovered were that parents and children do not discuss dating issues, children relate to parental dating through their parents' eyes, and the "losses" children deal with include not only dates coming and going but also the loss of the time, attention, and focus of the dating parent. An important ancillary note is that children tend to "freeze-frame" their fathers when not there, i.e., the children did not think of their fathers as having a life or growing while away from the children except on the most elementary of levels. [Atiicle copim awilable for a feeJivm The Hawo~h Document Delivery Service: 1-8W342-9678. E-mail a d d m : getinf@~rth.com]