SHARED RESIDENCE AMONG PARENTS LIVING APART IN NORWAY

Over the last decade there has been a dramatic increase in shared residence for children among parents living apart in Norway, and a related shift away from mother sole custody. Currently, 3 in 10 children in separated families have shared residence, compared to less than 10% at the beginning of the century. This likely reflects several factors, including more symmetrical parenting practices in intact families in Norway and policy measures that promote a more equal division of practical care and economic provision among separated parents. Shared residence is most widespread among those from high socioeconomic backgrounds. Parents with shared residence generally report better cooperation and less conflict than sole custody parents and also more gender-equal caring practices prior to separation. Key points for the Family Court Community: In the 2000s there has been a dramatic increase in shared residence for children among parents living apart in Norway and a related shift away from mother sole custody. Shared residence after separation has typically been exercised by parents with higher socioeconomic resources who report low levels of interparent conflict. Recently, however, shared residence has become more widespread in most groups of Norwegian parents. In 2012, around one in four shared residence parents in Norway reported a moderate or high level of interparent conflict. Shared residence appears to be a relatively stable postseparation parenting arrangement in Norway, and 80% of mothers and 86% of fathers with shared residence reported no change in their parenting arrangement after separation. More equal parenting roles among separated parents is an important political ambition for the current Norwegian government.