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A Mile in my Shoes: An Exploration of Custodial Mothers’ Perspectives on Empathy and its Role in Co-parenting and Paternal Involvement

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Abstract

In contemporary society, fewer adults marry than in previous generations. It is also true that there have been increases in the number of non-marital births. The combination of these demographic trends mean that large numbers of fathers live apart from their children and are at risk for disengagement as a result of the conflict that characterizes many co-parenting relationships. In response, there is a burgeoning literature examining interventions aimed at improving co-parenting cooperation and reducing conflict. To further examine these issues, the purpose of this study was to give voice to custodial mothers enrolled in a co-parenting intervention to share their experiences and perspectives on their relationships with their children’s fathers and to offer their opinion regarding the most impactful components of the intervention. In-depth qualitative data were collected from 55 custodial mothers participating in focus groups and follow up individual interviews. Data analysis revealed that many of the mothers reported improvements in their co-parenting relationships over time. The absence or presence of empathy also emerged as a salient factor in shaping the mothers’ co-parenting experiences, a finding that may have implications for practitioners and researchers interested in the dynamics of family functioning.

Highlights

  • Qualitative research methods are useful in examining the nuances that influence parents’ lived experiences in families.

  • Co-parenting interventions can be effective complements to responsible fatherhood programs.

  • Empathy is an important factor in shaping co-parenting.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    Armon R. Perry

  2. Department of Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    Aaron C. Rollins Jr. & Abby Perez

Authors
  1. Armon R. Perry
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  2. Aaron C. Rollins Jr.
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  3. Abby Perez
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Correspondence to Armon R. Perry.

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Research Involving Human Participants

This research features data collected from human participants

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This research was approved by the University of Louisville IRB

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Appendix A

Appendix A

Focus Group & Interview Scripts

Focus Group

Question

Prompt (if needed)

Describe your co-parenting experience with your child’s father.

1. Describe your interactions with your child’s father.

2. Have you made explicit and intentional efforts to facilitate your child’s fathers’ involvement? If so, how did he respond? If not, is there a specific reason as to why not?

3. What are your child’s fathers’ strengths and needs?

What does a good father look like to you?

1. What should a man do to get the title of a great father?

2. If you can imagine an ideal father, in what activities would he participate?

What should fathers do to improve their co-parenting relationships with mothers?

What should agencies looking to serve families do to help fathers improve their co-parenting relationships with mothers?

1. How can programs help fathers and mothers work together for the best interest of their children?

Follow Up Interview

Question

Prompt (If Needed)

How have things been in your co-parenting relationship since you first enrolled in this study?

1. Have there been any changes in the way that you and your co-parent work together for the benefit of your child?

What parts of the workshop content have you found the most helpful?

1. Are there parts of the content that you use or apply to your life more than others?

What parts of the workshop content have you found to be least helpful?

1. Are there parts of the content that you have not used or found relevant to your life?

What advice do you have to researchers and practitioners interested in developing co-parenting programs?

 

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Perry, A.R., Rollins, A.C. & Perez, A. A Mile in my Shoes: An Exploration of Custodial Mothers’ Perspectives on Empathy and its Role in Co-parenting and Paternal Involvement. J Child Fam Stud 31, 1607–1620 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02268-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02268-3

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