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- Title
THE NEED FOR CHILD REPRESENTATION REFORM.
- Authors
Dziuba-Leatherman, Jennifer; Dolan, Elizabeth M.
- Abstract
The article suggests solutions to problems involving independent representation of children of divorce along with abused or neglected children. Child's interests may not be well served through the parent's attorney, who has the legal obligation to advocate for the parent. The effectiveness of child protective services social workers, who volunteer their time as advocates, may be compromised by conflicts of interest if they are affiliated with the agency representing the parents. In the midst of a divorce custody case, spouses may knowingly or unknowingly distort facts relevant to one another's parenting abilities in an effort to gain custody. Children in crisis may have difficulty providing clear and accurate information. An abused or neglected child may seek to protect the perpetrator due to embarrassment or guilt over the secret, fear of retribution, or a failure to recognize that what the parent has done is harmful or morally wrong. While the best interests of children are normally served through maintaining a consistent family unit, a child's current living situation may need to be modified, or s/he may need to be removed from the home altogether in the case of maltreatment.
- Subjects
PARENT-child relationships; DIVORCE; MARRIED people; CHILD advocacy (Law); SOCIAL services; FAMILY counselors
- Publication
Family Relations, 1994, Vol 43, Issue 1, p81
- ISSN
0197-6664
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/585146