Children's influence on dual residence arrangements: Exploring decision-making practices

Dual residence, where children live with each parent for approximately equal amounts of time, is increasingly common for children who have experienced parental separation or divorce. This article explores the perspectives of Swedish children growing up in dual residence arrangements, focusing on their influence over the residence arrangements and practices therein. Alternating one's home life across two households requires organizing and a great deal of decision-making to make everyday life work for children and their families. Drawing on twenty qualitative in-depth interviews with children aged 9 to 17, this paper explores these decision-making practices. Findings demonstrate that children want to have the choice to influence and take part in the decision-making practices of their dual-residence arrangements, and that most children do influence the way their dual-residence arrangements are shaped albeit to different degrees. However, some children are prevented from having this influence despite their wish to have a say. Barriers and enablers are further discussed in relation to children's influence within their families.