Children's conception of the continuity of parenthood following divorce

By means of doll play children aged between 4 and 14 years were interviewed to establish whether they believed that parental status continued beyond divorce. Three levels of understanding were identified: unquestioned assertion, without justification, of the inviolate nature of parenthood; belief that continuity of parenthood, following divorce, was conditional upon place of residence, positive affect toward the children involved or subsequent marital status; recognition of the permanence of parental relationships accompanied by differentiation of relationship and role. Children whose parents were known to be divorced tended to show more mature levels of understanding than children from intact nuclear families.