ABSTRACT
Concern with the impact on children of discontinued parent–child relationships following parental separation or divorce has resulted in a depth of empirical knowledge in the maintenance of those relationships through the medium of ‘contact’. While Irish legislation, policy and practice have always had a constitutional obligation to give voice to children’s concerns, it is not always clear or obvious as to how and in what ways children are given the opportunity to contribute to the process in any meaningful way. There is a paucity of studies that have explored the perspectives of parents who manage contact arrangements post-separation, how children experience such contact and the manner in which their children’s views have been ascertained and represented. This is particularly significant for infants and very young children.
Addressing this established gap in the empirical knowledge base, this chapter presents a critical review and analysis of the international literature regarding contact time for infants and very young children with non-resident parents. Situated within the specific developmental needs of this particular age cohort, this literature review identifies the key ingredients for quality contact for infants and very young children, including parental capacity and formal and informal support structures.
