The Double Families of Children of Separated Parents

Catherine VlLLENEUVE-GOKALP*

Single-parent families and step-families have always existed, but after the Second World War, with the reduction in mortality and a "golden age" of marriage, they appear as singular compared with the prevailing model of the family composed of a married couple and its children. During the 1970s, with the growing number of separations and formations of new couples, increased concern was expressed as to the consequences of such new behaviours for the children; but, no one can say how many children do not live with both their parents, or what is the nature of their ties with the adults who bring them up. However, acquiring such knowledge is essential prior to any research into how children learn to live in society and into the economic and psychological problems associated with the break-up of the family, or before the elaboration and implementation of social and family policies. At the same time, traditional family models appear to be obsolete and inappropriate as references. In the past, children living with only one of their biological parents were totally deprived of the other parent, who was either dead or unknown. If the surviving parent remarried or started to live with a new partner, the step-parent "replaced" the deceased parent;

Selection, 12, 2000,