Lasten kokemuksia vuoroasumisesta

Abstract

Hannariikka Linnavuoren väitöskirjatutkimus perustuu 20 vuoroasuvan lapsen haastatteluun. Linnavuori halusi tuoda esille lasten näkökulman tähän kiisteltyyn ja vähän tutkittuun aiheeseen. Tutkimuksessa haastateltiin 8–18-vuotiaita lapsia, jotka olivat vanhempien eron jälkeen asuneet puoliksi molempien vanhempien luona keskimäärin neljän vuoden ajan. Haastattelun lisäksi lapset piirsivät kuvan perheestään. Lapset pitivät tärkeänä sitä, että heillä säilyi läheinen suhde kumpaankin vanhempaan. Muita vuoroasumisen etuja olivat kaksi kotia sekä mahdollisuus saada lemmikkieläin tai uusia kavereita ja tavaroita. Vuoroasuminen oli helpompaa, jos vanhemmat asuivat lähellä toisiaan.

The aim of the study is to explore children’s experiences of post-divorce life in dual residence families where children divide their time and physical presence equally between their parents’ households. This study provides an opportunity to hear children’s voices directly, not only through professionals or parents as usual. I interviewed 20 children, aged between 10–18 years, to discover their experiences of post-divorce family life with both parents continuing to play a major role in their lives. During the interview children draw a picture of their family, too. The method of qualitative content analysis was utilized in the analysis of this phenomenological study.Some of my results are inline with those from previous studies: children do not experience dual residence as difficult as adults often imagine they do. In fact, all the children considered dual residence as a good living arrangement, and many said it was the best alternative after divorce. Children’s experiences are influenced from four different perspectives: (1) physical circumstances, (2) the quality of children’s close human relationships, (3) their role as social actor and (4) children’s idea of their home and their family. The children felt that they had one family and two homes. They especially valued having a good relationship with both parents, but they also hoped that the parents could cooperate with each other. Problems were often connected with belongings.The study shows that children see themselves as social actors who affect their parents’ lives, while also wanting to influence their own lives. Implicit in my research is the wish to take into account what children themselves say about new models of parenthood and post-divorce family life.