Our new study aims to collect information from parents who are co-parenting, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of this situation. It is important that this type of parenting relationship is taken into consideration by researchers and policymakers working on children and their families.
What is Understanding Society?
Understanding Society is a special study that follows the lives of tens of thousands of people who live in the UK. It collects information about life events and the important relationships people have. The Study tracks what changes (and what stays the same) in people’s lives, building a picture of life in the UK. Information from Understanding Society is used by the government, charities, and university researchers. Understanding Society collects information from everyone who lives in a household, including parents and children. We would like to add to this by including information on the significant relationships our participants have outside their household, such as with a parent living in another house.
Why have you contacted me?
We are contacting you because your child lives in a household that takes part in Understanding Society. The co-parent of your child has, with your permission, given us your contact details to invite you to take part in this special survey.
You are important to us
By taking part, you are helping us understand one of the key relationships that children have. You will be helping us develop important research on how families evolve over time and how co-parenting works. This will help policy makers and organisations working to support families better understand co-parenting.
What do I have to do?
All you have to do is answer a short survey about your life and your relationship with your child. The survey will take up to 30 minutes. It will cover things like your family relationships, time with your child, and co-parenting practices. We will also ask you some questions about you, your health and wellbeing, and your employment situation.
You may find some of the questions personal in nature, but you don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to. Understanding Society is a long-term survey – we interview participants every year. We would like to invite you to take part in this survey in the future before your child (or the youngest of your children, if you have more than one child) turns 16 years of age.
Is the Study confidential?
Yes. We always take great care to protect the confidentiality of the information you give us, in accordance with the Data Protection Act. The results of the study will be used for research purposes only. You can ask to see your details at any time or to have them removed from our database. The data is and will remain anonymous – it will be impossible for anyone to identify you or your household from the study’s results. The other parent of your child will have no access to the information you provide in the survey. We never share contact information, and no government department, or any other agency, can see you survey answers.
Who is doing this research?
Researchers at the University of Essex are running Understanding Society. Funding has been provided by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Ethics approval for the study has been provided by the University of Essex Ethics Sub-Committee 1 (ETH2223-0744).
Do I get anything for taking part?
Each person who takes part will receive a £20 Love2Shop gift voucher that can be used at a range of retailers.
If you want to download this information sheet, you can find a pdf version here.