The effect of parental separation and divorce on children has been an area of considerable interest, leading to the creation of an extensive body of academic research over the last four decades. Many studies have focused on outcomes for children (see Rodgers and Pryor, 1998); more recent studies have sought to give ‘voice’ to children's experience (Dunn and Deater-Deckard, 2001; Butler et al, 2002; 2003; Wade and Smart, 2002; Flowerdew and Neale, 2003; Moxnes, 2003; Hogan et al, 2003; Smith et al, 2003; Smart, 2006; Bagshaw, 2007; Campbell, 2008; Halpenny et al, 2008; Menning, 2008; Maes et al, 2011). In these studies children's ‘voices’ have been mediated by parents who act as gatekeepers to their participation. Meanwhile the ‘voices’ of young adults on their childhood experience of parental separation and divorce have remained largely absent from this body of research, Fortin et al (2012) and more recently Du Plooy and Van Rensburg (2015), Brand et al (2017) and Morrison et al (2017) being exceptions. Their absence is curious as young adults appear particularly well placed to contribute to understandings of children's experience. In their case, separation occurred some time ago, allowing time for adjustment, and their transition to adulthood provides the opportunity to look back on their childhood experience in a different light. Giving ‘voice’ to their childhood experience provides valuable insight into what young adults saw as significant when their parents separated and post-separation changes were put in place, and how they accommodated the changes in their family life over time.

This book is based on a doctoral study (Kay-Flowers, 2014) which aimed to address this gap by providing the opportunity for young adults to talk about how they experienced their parents’ separation and the post-separation changes that affected their lives as children. My motivation was to ensure young adults’ ‘voices’ are heard in order to develop more nuanced understandings of children's experience, understandings which could be shared with academic audiences as well as practitioners to inform future work with children, young people and their families.

I had a personal motivation for undertaking the study, in my professional life I worked as a Family Court Advisor with the Children and Family Court Advisory Service (CAFCASS) working with children and families affected by parental separation, divorce or bereavement.