Data in this case has been generated from semistructured in-depth interviews. Initially I had decided to screen out stories that included litigation but initial telephone conversations with prospective participants made me realise that litigation could represent just part of a story rich with many other factors that influence the development of a co-parenting relationship. To date, I have conducted 18 interviews. Already, the diversity is breathtaking. To organise this diversity into categories is a real challenge.
Preliminary categorisation encompasses two key dimensions.
The first is the division of parenting time over a weekly or fortnightly period. The second is an evaluation of rapport between parents. There is no obvious correlation between these two dimensions. So far, there is nothing astounding about my observation that the type of arrangement is not related to agreement or co-operation between parents. Australian parents are not proving to be any different.