Study on whether Cooperative Co-parenting is Easier with Sole Care and Control or Shared Care and Control

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.

In 2020, MSF conducted a Study on Co-Parenting Styles (Co-Parenting Study), which found that the cooperative co-parenting style is associated with positive child outcomes, such as fewer child behavioural and emotional problems and better school learning behaviour, compared to parallel co-parenting and single parenting.

The Co-Parenting Study did not cover whether it is easier to practise cooperative co-parenting with sole or shared care and control. However, the study found that among those who practise the cooperative co-parenting style, 80% were awarded sole care and control and 19% were awarded shared care and control.

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 cooperative co-parenting is easier with sole or shared care and control. Instead, MSF will continue to support all divorced parents to practise cooperative co-parenting in the best interests of their children, regardless of whether they were awarded sole or shared care and control.