Experi ence a nd Partic ipation ofChilciren in a C us tody Battle: Th e Case ofKolfe Keranio F irst Instance Court
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Date
2013-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In a country where 45% of first maniages end in divorce within thirty years of
maniage, it is undeni ably true that many children pass through custody. My exposure to
di sputing couples' makes me curious to know how their chi ldren react on divorce and
started searching for related studies. Limited researches have been done on related areas but
it is difficult to come across a study that basically depend on the response of children and
takes their experience as the main source of the information.
This study tries to assess the feelings, experience and participation of children in a
custody process. Nine chi ldren above the age of 12, 2 j udges, 2 soc ial workers and 5 parents
have partic ipated in the study. Both primary and secondary data including interview,
observation, fonns and report were used in this research. The infOlmation was used in a
fonn of nanation and development of concepts in this research.
Based on the study I was ab le to come across interesting findings. Though most
chi ldren are against divorce and pass throu gh psychological and emoti onal issues, children
of an abusive marriage feel rel ieved by its actualizati on. The separation and decision to get .
a divorce by parents disrupt the relationship a child has with the father and affect the
traditional family setting. So their relation with the non custodial parent (father) even yet
their time with their mother can be affected as well. They face di sagreement with their
relat ives too . Child participation has been observed in courts but focus is unpaid for
maintaining the marriage. Children as a whole are facing different challenges in the process.
Necessary social work serv ices should be given to children and parent. Social work
education on child right in light of social work principles and applicable laws should be
given to the court social workers and other professionals. The government shoul d also work
on pol icy framework to incorporate the social work service in regional courts too.
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Keywords
Experi ence and Partic ipation of Chilciren