Coparenting

Coparenting refers to a parenting situation where adults share the duties of parenting a child.[1] Coparents may include a variety of configurations, including two mothers, two fathers, a parent with an adult sibling or grandparent, or a parent and another adult relative. The coparent relationship differs from an intimate relationship between adults in that it focuses solely on the child.[2] Its original meaning was mostly related to united families. However, since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 20 November 1989, the principle that a child has to continue to maintain a strong relationship with both parents, even if separated, has become more and more a recognized right. Thus, the concept of coparenting was extended to separated and divorced families as well.[3]

Post-separation

The term 'post-separation coparent' is used to describe a situation where two parents work together to raise a child even though they are divorced, separated or no longer living together. The principle of coparenting opposes the habit to grant custody of a child exclusively to a single parent, and promotes the shared parenting as a protection of the right of children to continue to receive cares and love from both parents. Through this process, the child's parents seek to maintain equal or some type of shared responsibility to benefit the child's upbringing.

This principle was established in Italy at the beginning of the 21st century by the Associations of Separated Parents that for years have been fighting against a culture, a social mindset, and a legislative and legal system that is discriminating among genders in the conflicts between former partners, especially when children are involved. Such associations are in fact also committed to solve several problems related to separations and divorces, as international child abductions, parental alienation syndrome, and equal rights between genders in judicial separations and divorces.

The principle of coparenting (Italian: Principio di bigenitorialità) states that a child has always and in any case the right to maintain a stable relationship with both parents, even if they are separated or divorced, unless there is a recognized need to separate him/her from one or both parents.

Such a right is based on the concept that to be a parent is a commitment that an adult takes with respect to his/her children, not to the other parent, so that it cannot and must not be influenced by any kind of separation among parents.

According to article 30 of Italian Constitution, to be a parent is both a right and a duty. As a right, it cannot be constrained by the agreement of a third party, even if it would be the other parent; as a duty, it is not possible to abdicate it as well as it is not possible to abdicate any decreed right.

There are some very specific issues in this type of coparenting that make being a parent or a child difficult. Organizing the child's life and activities, making sure that children receive consistent types and styles of discipline, and making sure that both parents are made aware of the issues in a child's life.

Elective

Elective coparenting, also referred to as "parenting partnerships" or "partnered parenting", may be used as a choice by individuals seeking to have children but who do not wish to enter into a conventional relationship.[4]

Subject to the laws of their nation of residence, two adults may enter into a formal agreement to care for a child together even though only two of them may be granted official legal custody in most countries.[5]

The Netherlands are considering a new law making it legal for up to four coparents to be granted official custody.[6] In one case, a family of four parents consisting of a gay and a lesbian couple care for their child based on a formal agreement.[7]

In science

The term coparenting is not really a neologism, since it already exists and is used in several scientific contexts, notably psychology, anthropology and biology. Its original meaning was mostly related to united families. However, since the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 20 November 1989, the principle that a child has to continue to maintain a strong relationship with both parents even if separated, has become more and more a recognized right. Thus, the concept of shared parenting was extended to separated and divorced families too. It should not be confused with biparentality, term used in biology and genetics to designate the genetic inheritance of a living being from both parents.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Definition of co-parent". Oxford Living Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Ellie, McCann,; Kjersti, Olson,; Eugene, Hall,; Maisha, Giles,; Stephen, Onell,; Rose, McCullough,; Jenifer, McGuire,; Cari, Michaels, (2015-10). "Children in Common: Ensuring the Emotional Well-being of Children When Parenting Apart". Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ Feinberg, Mark E. (May 2003). "The Internal Structure and Ecological Context of Coparenting: A Framework for Research and Intervention". Parenting. 3 (2): 95–131. doi:10.1207/S15327922PAR0302_01.
  4. ↑ Javda, V.; Freeman, T.; Tranfield, E.; Golombok, S. (1 June 2015). "'Friendly allies in raising a child': a survey of men and women seeking elective co-parenting arrangements via an online connection website". Human Reproduction. 30 (8): 1896–1906. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  5. ↑ Carpenter, Louise (15 December 2013). "Meet the co-parents". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "The Netherlands may let children have more than two legal parents". The Economist. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Twee moeders, twee vaders: volgt nu ook de wet? (Two mothers, two fathers: now also follows the law?)" (in Dutch). Netherlands Broadcasting Foundation, Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
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