Redefining elective co-parenting as PACT: a systematic assessment of published concepts and definitions.

Background: There is an increase in the variation of family forms, types of parenthood roles and methods for family formation. One way of family building has most recently been referred to as 'elective co-parenting'. Yet, many other terms and somewhat diverging concept definitions have been put forward. This paper aims to establish a fundamental conceptual framework.

Methods: We will adhere to a tailored set of guidelines for conceptual ethics organised in four stages: (i) Using a minimal scoping review of published definitions potential attributes are identified, (ii) The potential attributes are organised by theme in order to identify any necessary and sufficient or shared ones, (iii) A conceptual definition of the concept is developed, (iv) The most fitting concept label is determined.

Results: Current terminology lacks comprehensiveness and often contains additional (hidden) meanings, thereby jeopardising its usability for research on contemporary family formation. We suggest a new nomenclature.

Conclusion: We suggest PACT (Pre-conception Agreement-based Co-parenting Together-apart) instead of 'elective co-parenting' (or equivalents) as a new concept label for this particular family type, whereby at least two parties of co-parents have agreed before the conception of a child to share parenting of this child. A party can refer either to an individual or a set of romantically involved individuals. Although there may be different types of loving relationships between some (or all) co-parents within this constellation, there is at least some 'detachment' that is recognised as being created and present by an absence of romantic love between those parties.