Ett hem eller två hem: hur vuxna skilsmässobarn tolkar och beskriver sin uppväxt mot bakgrund av den boendeform de vuxit upp i efter familjeupplösning

Sammanfattning: The break up of the family unit leads to new living arrangements and significant changes for children. This can be an extremely upsetting experience for a child, especially if the child is old enough to understand what is happening. New living arrangements can effect a childs fundamental sense of security as well as having consequences later on in life. The object of this research paper was to examine how a group of seven people (children from split families who are now adults), interpreted and described their childhood in relation to the living arrangements they grew up with after the breakdown of the family unit. The main question areas we have examined are: How have the interviewee's living arrangements during childhood affected their understanding of themselves today? In what way has the adult's present day lifestyle been influenced by the split up of the family that they grew up with - using their own words? How do the children from split families describe and interpret concepts such as family and marriage, based on their own experiences? Our research was conducted with the help of seven people from split families who are now adults and who experienced different types of split family arrangements as a child ? permanent residence with mother/father or alternate living with both parents. In order to clarify the empirical evidence we have used Anthony Giddens theory of ?onthological security and trust? as well as Jahn Bowlbys ?attachment theory?. The results of this study have shown that growing up in a split family environment and with divorce has left many sensitive memories with those who are now adults. The split family structure has affected these children's present lifestyle. Using these experiences as children from split families, they now as adults give advice to families that want to separate and information about families and relationships. All the interviewees were in agreement that the different living arrangements and divorce were not destructive for them as children, rather the difficult relationships between their parents and the inaccessability that can be a negative factor for a childs well-being.