Nonresidential Fathering and Nonresidential Mothering in a Chinese Context

Abstract

This study examines the gender differences of nonresident mothers and nonresident fathers' post-divorce contacts with children in Hong Kong. The results indicate a Chinese style of nonresidential parenting. Gender differences were observed in both the involvement patterns of the nonresident parents and in the family dynamics emerging from these involvement patterns. While both emphasized child discipline, the participating nonresident mothers had a significantly higher involvement in physical and emotional care than the nonresident fathers. Their involvement was less likely to foster negative family dynamics. In this context, their involvement had a more obvious positive association with the children's sense of competence. The participating nonresident fathers showed a discipline-oriented and problem-oriented pattern of involvement. Their involvement was negatively related to the residential parent-child relationship and children's sense of competence. Their over-focus on child discipline seemed to deteriorate children's sense of competence by reinforcing their self-blame. To maximize the benefits to children of nonresident parents' involvement, interventions are recommended to strengthen nonresident fathers' ability in emotional care and to facilitate an involvement pattern that is supportive rather than competitive vis a vis the residential parent-child relationship.