Sadowski & McIntosh (2015) A phenomenological analysis of the experience of security and contentment for latency aged children in shared-time parenting… Journal of Phenomenological Psychology A Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Security and Contentment for Latency Aged Children in Shared-time Parenting Christina Sadowski 1 (Federation University Australia) and Jennifer E. McIntosh 2 (Deakin University) Sadowski, C. & McIntosh, J.E. A phenomenological analysis of the experience of security and contentment for latency aged children in shared-time parenting. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 46. 69-104. http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15691624-12341285 (Pre-print manuscript - submitted 28 April 2015) Abstract This study explored the lived experience of security and contentment, and their absence, for latency-aged children (aged 8-12) living in shared-time parenting arrangements following their parents’ separation. A descriptive phenomenological methodology was utilized (Giorgi, 1985, 2009; Giorgi & Giorgi, 2003, 2008). Shared-time is an increasingly common post-separation living arrangement in which children spend equal, or near-equal time, with both parents. Sixteen children with current or recent experience of living in a shared-time arrangement were interviewed about their experiences of two phenomena: “feeling secure and content living in shared-time” and “not feeling secure and content living in shared-time.” The eight richest protocols were selected for analysis. The two resultant general structures and their core constituents are presented, and individual variations discussed. The emergent child-generated phenomenologies describe core aspects of this living arrangement that contribute to the child’s felt security and contentment, and core aspects that compromise it. Central to each phenomenon is the parent/s’ capacity, or incapacity, to create and sustain a physical and emotional space in which the child feels secure and held in the mind, feels the arrangements are responsive to their needs, feels free to access the “absent” parent, and experiences integration between the two parental homes. Implications for phenomenological human science research are considered, including the use of descriptive phenomenology with children. Keywords Phenomenology, shared care, shared-time parenting, joint custody, children’s experiences of divorce This research project was supported by a PhD scholarship from the Ballarat Family Relationship Centre, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The PhD supervision of Jennifer McIntosh, John McDonald and Angela Murphy is gratefully acknowledged by the first author. The authors would like to thanks the anonymous reviewers and the Editor of this journal for their helpful feedback. 1 c.sadowski@federation.edu.au 2 Jennifer.mcintosh@deakin.edu.au 1