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Rethinking Children's Involvement in Decision-Making after Parental Separation

Anne B. Smith

Nicola J. Taylor

Children's Issues Centre, University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. anneb.smith{at}stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Pauline Tapp

Faculty of Law, University of Auckland

This article argues that the assumption that it is a burden of responsibility for children to be involved in family or legal decision-making is problematic. Each child and family situation is unique, and children's perspectives provide valuable information on this. Children can communicate their views, intentions and difficulties provided that their social contexts and adult partners are sensitive to their perspectives. Within this context, the assumption that children lack sufficient age and maturity to participate in decision-making is questionable. The key issue is not the child's competence, but the adults' ability to provide a trusting, supportive and reciprocal relationship within which the child's voice and participation can be facilitated.

Key Words: divorce • family • law • participation • separation

Childhood, Vol. 10, No. 2, 201-216 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/0907568203010002006
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