Date of Award

2016

Publication Type

Doctoral Thesis

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Social Work

Keywords

Child Custody Decision-Making, Differentiated Experiences, Domestic Violence, High conflict, Parent Perceptions

Supervisor

Grant, Jill

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Using the works of Lukes (2005) and Gutierrez (1994), this dissertation provides a critical view of the study findings through a discussion of power and empowerment to illustrate that, within child custody decision-making, one‟s capacity for power is affected not just by scope and significance, as suggested by Lukes (2005), but also by the level of conflict and experience of violence. Viewing the findings from this lens provides another understanding of the parent experience of child custody decision-making, putting into perspective their acts of resistance to structural barriers. These acts of resistance, I show, are avenues for change. Specifically for the findings in this study, these acts of resistance demonstrate a pathway for those with seemingly little power to challenge legislation.

Share

COinS