Role perceptions of divorcing parents

Using interview data from a convenience sample of 101 divorcing parents, we examined the gender roles of parents during the transition from marriage to divorce. We found that the women, who most often initiated divorce, were changing their roles and that this was related to marital dissatisfactions. Factor analysis indicated that real differences existed in how mothers and fathers perceived the co-parental relationship. Mothers saw the relationship as supportive at times and conflictual at times. Fathers tended to view the relationship as helpful only if it did not contain conflict. Improved communication in the coparental relationship after divorce seemed to be related to changes in traditional female and male roles.