Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry has conducted a study on whether cooperative co-parenting is easier with sole care and control or shared care and control; (b) if so, what are the results of the study; (c) whether the Ministry intends to conduct such a study if it has not done so; and (d) if not, why not.
Answer
1 In 2020, MSF conducted a Study on Co-Parenting Styles (‘Co-Parenting Study), which found that the co-operative co-parenting style isassociated with positive child outcomes such as fewer child behaviouraland emotional problems and better school learning behaviour comparedto parallel co-parenting and single parenting.
2 The Co-Parenting Study did not cover whether it is easier to practise co-operative co-parenting with sole or shared care and control. However, the study found that among those who practise the co-operative co-parenting style, 80% were awarded sole care and control and 19% were awarded shared care and control.
3 There are no conclusive findings on the benefits of shared care and control both locally and overseas. Hence, MSF does not intend to conduct a study specifically on whether co-operative co-parenting is easier with sole or shared care and control. Instead, MSF will continue to support all divorced parents to practise co-operative co-parenting in the best interests of their children, regardless of whether they were awarded sole or shared care and control.