Paternal Banking and Maternal Gatekeeping in Postdivorce Families

Abstract

The research explores the way in which postseparated parents continue to exert a bidirectional force on each other following divorce and separation. The study draws on qualitative interviews with 39 separated mothers and fathers in Ireland, including five marital sets of former couples. The study found many fathers adopted a range of paternal banking strategies on separation and that these strategies appeared influential on, or in response to, maternal gatekeeping behavior. The article develops the concept of paternal banking by linking it to maternal gatekeeping practices postseparation. The research indicates that an investigation of maternal gatekeeping in the absence of a review of paternal banking practices undermines the nature of parental role battle within the postseparated couple. The article argues that this is especially true when located in a state, like Ireland, where traditional family structures are pervasive.