The aim of the study is to, with a norm critical perspective, highlight how men and their parenting are represented and framed in child custody investigation reports in Sweden. The main focus is to show norms and beliefs about men and their parenting as several sources indicate that discrimination related to gender and ethnicity occurs. Based on a qualitative research effort, a document analysis has been made by 14 child custody investigation reports from diverse areas in the country. Through a thematic analysis tree themes became apparent. “Culture as an explanation”, “Gender inequality and women understand women best” and “The receiving father vs. the authoritarian father”. The selected theories that have been used to create an understanding of our research problem are the gender system and postcolonial theory. The results gave us the conclusion that in this context both structural discrimination and racial prejudices towards fathers are apparent in many cases.

<p>The aim of this study is to look how the Social Service has handled custody issues. The study has a legal and social aspect with a purpose to investigate how the law affects the social administration as well as the family. During a period of one year a quantitative and qualitative study was performed within the social administration in a nearby community. The study focus is partly on the relationship between the law, family and society. The main questions have been: Which one of the parents, mother or father, did in fact get the custody and why? How has the children’s point of view been reported in the inquiry? A child needs a well organized everyday life in a preferably conflict free environment. The result shows that the mothers are most often presented as the child’s main provider but it´s not related to gender. The main reason is the child´s need to stability, security and structure in everyday life and therefore the authority often chose to not change the child´s existing resident and surroundings. We have also found out that more focus must be put on the child’s wish, they need to be considered. For the best interest of the child!</p>

<p>The aim of this study is to look how the Social Service has handled custody issues. The study has a legal and social aspect with a purpose to investigate how the law affects the social administration as well as the family. During a period of one year a quantitative and qualitative study was performed within the social administration in a nearby community. The study focus is partly on the relationship between the law, family and society. The main questions have been: Which one of the parents, mother or father, did in fact get the custody and why? How has the children’s point of view been reported in the inquiry? A child needs a well organized everyday life in a preferably conflict free environment. The result shows that the mothers are most often presented as the child’s main provider but it´s not related to gender. The main reason is the child´s need to stability, security and structure in everyday life and therefore the authority often chose to not change the child´s existing resident and surroundings. We have also found out that more focus must be put on the child’s wish, they need to be considered. For the best interest of the child!</p>

The aim of this study is to look how the Social Service has handled custody issues. The study has a legal and social aspect with a purpose to investigate how the law affects the social administration as well as the family. During a period of one year a quantitative and qualitative study was performed within the social administration in a nearby community. The study focus is partly on the relationship between the law, family and society. The main questions have been: Which one of the parents, mother or father, did in fact get the custody and why? How has the children’s point of view been reported in the inquiry? A child needs a well organized everyday life in a preferably conflict free environment. The result shows that the mothers are most often presented as the child’s main provider but it´s not related to gender. The main reason is the child´s need to stability, security and structure in everyday life and therefore the authority often chose to not change the child´s existing resident and surroundings. We have also found out that more focus must be put on the child’s wish, they need to be considered. For the best interest of the child!

The aim of this study is to look how the Social Service has handled custody issues. The study has a legal and social aspect with a purpose to investigate how the law affects the social administration as well as the family. During a period of one year a quantitative and qualitative study was performed within the social administration in a nearby community. The study focus is partly on the relationship between the law, family and society. The main questions have been: Which one of the parents, mother or father, did in fact get the custody and why? How has the children’s point of view been reported in the inquiry? A child needs a well organized everyday life in a preferably conflict free environment. The result shows that the mothers are most often presented as the child’s main provider but it´s not related to gender. The main reason is the child´s need to stability, security and structure in everyday life and therefore the authority often chose to not change the child´s existing resident and surroundings. We have also found out that more focus must be put on the child’s wish, they need to be considered. For the best interest of the child!

The purpose of this study was to investigate how family law secretaries in Sweden works with fulfilling the best interests of the child in collaboration talks and how they get children involved in the process. I have performed five semi-constructed interviews with family law secretaries from different municipalities. In order to achieve broader answers to my questions I have chosen to use a qualitative method. This method was also chosen to enable the possibility of follow-up questions. I gathered data from previous research in this area by searching after these keywords; child’s best, collaboration talk, custody, family law, children’s participation in investigations. The collected data was then analyzed with three different theories; Michael Lipsky’s theory about grass root bureaucrats, Svensson, Johansson &amp; Laanemets’ theory about the social worker role and Roger Hart’s participation model.  The participants that were interviewed all stated that it was difficult to fulfill the child’s best as it is an open concept that can be interpreted differently depending on the secretary’s individual knowledge and scope. Among the participants there were some of them that had deeper knowledge concerning the principle of the child’s best. This knowledge had been achieved through further education which ensures higher certainty that the child’s best has been fulfilled, but also raises awareness on when participation of the child in collaboration talk is possible. For those secretaries that are lacking this deeper knowledge in this principle agree that there are difficulties to ensure that the child’s best has been fulfilled. Because of the difference in knowledge there were variances in deciding when it was possible for a child to participate in the collaboration talk. Some of the secretaries thought that it was important to get the children involved in collaboration talks, but some thought that collaboration talks were not a platform for small children to participate in. This means that children are encountered in different ways depending on which family law secretary they meet and in what municipality the collaboration talk is held in.

The aim of this study was to investigate how family law caseworkers in Sweden handle the mediation process in child custody disputes. Three themes were emphasized: the child’s best interest, strategies to maintain the child’s best interest and family conflicts and high-conflict families. To get an understanding of how these themes relate to child custody disputes, I conducted semi-structured interviews with family law caseworkers, since working with custody cases is part of their daily work. I chose a qualitative method because I was striving for diverse and comprehensive responses about family caseworkers’ practical experience in dealing with custody disputes. When asked about the definition of the child’s best interest, all respondents agreed that it is an open concept, implying that the definition depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the case. Generally, the respondents were of the opinion that the child’s best interest is synonymous with joint custody. The respondents stated that they employ different strategies to ensure that the child’s best interest is maintained, which is a result of their relatively high discretion. They stressed that while their primary focus is on dialogue with the parents, they use child testimonies as an additional guidance when determining what constitutes the child’s best in the case at hand. However, they also pointed out that a child’s wishes do not always coincide with the child’s best interest. When it comes to high-conflict families, the respondents concluded that the term has not been established in practice, although the problems associated with such families were recognized. After I presented the formal definition outlined in American research, the respondents agreed that the definition is useful in practice.

SAMMANFATTNING Studiens syfte var att undersöka om det förekommer könsdiskriminering mot fäder i vårdnadstvister. Frågeställningar och syften som användes var: (1) Att undersöka om könsdiskriminering mot pappor i vårdnadstvister existerar. (2) Om och hur pappor upplever ett könsdiskriminerande bemötande på familjerättsenheter. För att besvara frågeställningarna användes en mixad design bestående av en kvantitativ vinjettstudie och en kvalitativ analys av texter. Vinjettstudien riktades mot familjerättssekreterare inom socialtjänsten som i sitt yrke arbetar med frågor som hanterar vårdnad, boende och umgänge i vårdnadstvister mellan två vårdnadshavare. Inom den kvalitativa delen, annonserade författarna till studien efter fäders egna upplevelser av en vårdnadstvist. Annonseringen skedde på ett pappaforum på internet. Resultaten analyserades i ett mångdimensionellt perspektiv. Resultaten i vinjettstudien visade inte på diskriminering när respondenterna skulle göra riskbedömningar efter kön. Däremot hittades diskriminering mot fäder när respondenterna skulle bedöma vårdnad, boende och umgänge. Här bedömdes modern som den bäst lämpade trots att vårdnadshavarna hade identiska bakgrunder. I den kvalitativa tolkningen av fäders texter var det mest framträdande att de var övertygade om att deras biologiska kön var en belastning i en vårdnadstvist. / Gender discrimination against fathers in custody disputes? Does gender discrimination against men exist in custody disputes and, if so, how do the fathers perceive the treatment from social services? ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to examine whether gender discrimination against fathers exists in custody disputes. The issues and aims used were: (1) To examine whether gender discrimination against fathers exists in custody disputes. (2) If and how fathers perceive a gender discriminating treatment from family law departments. In order to answer the issues a mixed design consisting of a quantitative vignette study and a qualitative analysis of texts was used. The vignette study was directed towards social workers working within family law departments who handle issues regarding custody, residency and access in custody disputes between two guardians. Within the qualitative part, the authors advertised for fathers' personal experiences of a custody dispute. The announcement was made on a forum on the internet, especially aimed at fathers. The results were analysed through a multidimensional perspective. The results of the vignette study showed no evidence of discrimination regarding the respondents risk assessments based on gender. However, the study revealed discrimination against fathers when the respondents were to assess matters regarding custody, residency and access. Here the mother was deemed as the most suitable, despite the fact that the guardians had identical backgrounds. In the qualitative interpretation of texts written by fathers the most prominent was that they were convinced that their gender was a encumbrance in a custody dispute.

Os conflitos que acompanham a ruptura da configuração familiar têm exigido o envolvimento crescente de psicólogos e outros profissionais da saúde mental na avaliação de famílias em situação de disputa de guarda. As avaliações psicológicas devem fornecer informações objetivas e imparciais, uma vez que exercerão importante papel em relação às crianças e ao Judiciário. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as práticas que estão sendo utilizadas pelos psicólogos para realizar avaliações envolvendo disputa de guarda. Além de procedimentos e técnicas empregados, honorários e participação em audiências, os profissionais foram questionados sobre assuntos como guarda compartilhada, Síndrome de Alienação Parental e falsas acusações de abuso sexual. Participaram do estudo 51 psicólogos de diferentes regiões brasileiras, com idades entre 23 e 62 anos, com experiência em avaliação envolvendo disputa de guarda. Os profissionais responderam a um questionário disponível online, composto por questões objetivas referentes a dados pessoais e profissionais, avaliação psicológica, uso de testes e demandas atuais do Direito de Família. Foram realizadas análises descritivas das características sócio-demográficas e de formação dos participantes, bem como das demais questões contempladas no instrumento. Também foram realizadas comparações dos resultados entre as regiões do Brasil, através do teste do Qui-Quadrado. Os achados revelaram que os principais procedimentos utilizados nesse tipo de avaliação são as entrevistas com pais e com filhos. Entrevistas com terceiros e visitas à escola e residências dos pais também foram apontadas como freqüentes, da mesma forma que o uso de testes projetivos. Os testes referidos como mais utilizados foram HTP, Rorschach e Desenho da Figura Humana. Foi possível observar uma preferência e predomínio do uso de instrumentos psicológicos entre os participantes da região Sul. Em relação às demandas atuais do Direito de Família, a maioria dos respondentes mostrou-se conhecedora dos assuntos e relatou ter experiência profissional em relação aos mesmos. Contudo, a discussão apontou a necessidade de abordar esses e outros temas durante a formação dos psicólogos, a fim de que os profissionais possam manter-se atualizados diante das demandas que surgem no Direito de Família. Os principais resultados obtidos a partir deste estudo servirão como parâmetro para os psicólogos que exercem avaliações nessa área, ampliando seus conhecimentos sobre avaliação psicológica e determinação de guarda. Vale destacar a importância dessas avaliações, que servem de subsídio para a tomada de decisões judiciais que acarretarão sérias conseqüências para a vida de crianças e adolescentes filhos de pais separados. Palavras-Chave: Psicologia Jurídica, Avaliação Psicológica Forense, Disputa de Guarda. / The conflicts that follow the breakup of a family have increasingly involved psychologists and other mental health professionals in child custody evaluations. The psychological assessments should provide objective and impartial information, once they play an important role for the court and for the children’s lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the practices that have been used by psychologists in child custody evaluations. Professionals were asked about procedures, techniques, fees and participation in court trials. Questions about joint custody, Parental Alienation Syndrome and false allegations of sexual abuse were also considered. Fifty one child custody experienced psychologists from different regions of Brazil took part in the study, aged between 23 and 62. The professionals answered an online questionnaire, consisting of objective questions related to personal and professional data, child custody evaluation, use of tests and current demands in Family Law. Descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic and educational characteristics of the participants, and of the questions of the instrument as well as comparisons among the results of the Brazilian regions were carried out. The findings indicate that the main procedures in this type of evaluation are the interviews with parents and with the children. Collateral interviews and home and school visits are highlighted as a common procedure, as well as the use of projective techniques. HTP, Rorschach and the Human Figure Drawing are the most employed tests. It was possible to observe a preference and predominant use of psychological instruments among the participants of the south region. The respondents have showed to know about the Family Law topics and reported to have professional experience in this area. These data indicate that the psychologists who work in that field look for information concerning the demands which arise in Family Law. Even though, the discussion pointed out the need of studying these and other topics related to Forensic Psychology during psychologists’ education. It is expected that the main results of this study offer important guidelines for the psychologists in child custody evaluations, beyond broadening their knowledge about the issue. It is also underscored the importance of these evaluations on the judge decision, once they bring serious consequences for the lives of the children of divorced parents.

Os conflitos que acompanham a ruptura da configuração familiar têm exigido o envolvimento crescente de psicólogos e outros profissionais da saúde mental na avaliação de famílias em situação de disputa de guarda. As avaliações psicológicas devem fornecer informações objetivas e imparciais, uma vez que exercerão importante papel em relação às crianças e ao Judiciário. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as práticas que estão sendo utilizadas pelos psicólogos para realizar avaliações envolvendo disputa de guarda. Além de procedimentos e técnicas empregados, honorários e participação em audiências, os profissionais foram questionados sobre assuntos como guarda compartilhada, Síndrome de Alienação Parental e falsas acusações de abuso sexual. Participaram do estudo 51 psicólogos de diferentes regiões brasileiras, com idades entre 23 e 62 anos, com experiência em avaliação envolvendo disputa de guarda. Os profissionais responderam a um questionário disponível online, composto por questões objetivas referentes a dados pessoais e profissionais, avaliação psicológica, uso de testes e demandas atuais do Direito de Família. Foram realizadas análises descritivas das características sócio-demográficas e de formação dos participantes, bem como das demais questões contempladas no instrumento. Também foram realizadas comparações dos resultados entre as regiões do Brasil, através do teste do Qui-Quadrado. Os achados revelaram que os principais procedimentos utilizados nesse tipo de avaliação são as entrevistas com pais e com filhos. Entrevistas com terceiros e visitas à escola e residências dos pais também foram apontadas como freqüentes, da mesma forma que o uso de testes projetivos. Os testes referidos como mais utilizados foram HTP, Rorschach e Desenho da Figura Humana. Foi possível observar uma preferência e predomínio do uso de instrumentos psicológicos entre os participantes da região Sul. Em relação às demandas atuais do Direito de Família, a maioria dos respondentes mostrou-se conhecedora dos assuntos e relatou ter experiência profissional em relação aos mesmos. Contudo, a discussão apontou a necessidade de abordar esses e outros temas durante a formação dos psicólogos, a fim de que os profissionais possam manter-se atualizados diante das demandas que surgem no Direito de Família. Os principais resultados obtidos a partir deste estudo servirão como parâmetro para os psicólogos que exercem avaliações nessa área, ampliando seus conhecimentos sobre avaliação psicológica e determinação de guarda. Vale destacar a importância dessas avaliações, que servem de subsídio para a tomada de decisões judiciais que acarretarão sérias conseqüências para a vida de crianças e adolescentes filhos de pais separados. Palavras-Chave: Psicologia Jurídica, Avaliação Psicológica Forense, Disputa de Guarda. / The conflicts that follow the breakup of a family have increasingly involved psychologists and other mental health professionals in child custody evaluations. The psychological assessments should provide objective and impartial information, once they play an important role for the court and for the children’s lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the practices that have been used by psychologists in child custody evaluations. Professionals were asked about procedures, techniques, fees and participation in court trials. Questions about joint custody, Parental Alienation Syndrome and false allegations of sexual abuse were also considered. Fifty one child custody experienced psychologists from different regions of Brazil took part in the study, aged between 23 and 62. The professionals answered an online questionnaire, consisting of objective questions related to personal and professional data, child custody evaluation, use of tests and current demands in Family Law. Descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic and educational characteristics of the participants, and of the questions of the instrument as well as comparisons among the results of the Brazilian regions were carried out. The findings indicate that the main procedures in this type of evaluation are the interviews with parents and with the children. Collateral interviews and home and school visits are highlighted as a common procedure, as well as the use of projective techniques. HTP, Rorschach and the Human Figure Drawing are the most employed tests. It was possible to observe a preference and predominant use of psychological instruments among the participants of the south region. The respondents have showed to know about the Family Law topics and reported to have professional experience in this area. These data indicate that the psychologists who work in that field look for information concerning the demands which arise in Family Law. Even though, the discussion pointed out the need of studying these and other topics related to Forensic Psychology during psychologists’ education. It is expected that the main results of this study offer important guidelines for the psychologists in child custody evaluations, beyond broadening their knowledge about the issue. It is also underscored the importance of these evaluations on the judge decision, once they bring serious consequences for the lives of the children of divorced parents.