Children’s Participation in Family Law Disputes: The Views of Children, Parents, Lawyers and Counsellors
Familly Matters, No. 82, pp. 15-21, 2009
8 Pages Posted: 12 Sep 2009
Date Written: September, 10 2009
Abstract
Children, parents, counsellors, and lawyers were interviewed concerning their views about the value and risks attached to children being involved in decisions that are made about the arrangements for them after their parents separate. Children, parents, counsellors - and lawyers to a lesser extent - were generally in agreement that it is important to hear children's views and for children to feel that they have been heard and taken seriously. Working out the issues on which to involve children is as important as the means of so doing. Listening to children sensitively, and with awareness of the kinds of decisions in which they are best able to participate, is the key to resolving the tension between participation and protection.
Keywords: children’s participation, children’s views, parental separation, lawyers, mediators
JEL Classification: K10, K30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation