This essay will highlight some of the fundamental dilemmas faced by children of separating parents as well as reflecting some of the emotions engendered by it.

Children and young people, who are under the age of majority, have a special status, which is reflected, in their legal and social position in all communities.  To be a child is to lack the full legal capacity of adults and the right to make decisions for oneself, to own land, to vote and to do many other things, which adults take for, granted.  Children’s views are not accorded the same respect as those of adults whatever their age or experience and children and young people are not regarded as experts in their own lives.  Despite the limitations of childhood there is now worldwide acceptance of the notion that children have rights.  The concept of children’s rights has been the topic of speculation and comment since the early 1970s, and despite the limitations of childhood there is now acceptance of the notion that children have rights.

The family structure in our culture has changed dramatically over the past few decades our idea of the “nuclear” family living together in one home is no longer a reality for most people.  In the last 30 years there has been an increase of over 400 per cent in the number of divorces in England and Wales.  It is estimated that 160,000 children experience divorce each year and 60 per of these children are under 16 years old.

                                                                       CHASING RAINBOWS

Children who are the subjects of private law proceedings are those whose parents are in the process of a divorcing. The child’s accommodation, education, care, financial support and contact with the non-residential parent are taken into consideration.  Generally children in private law proceedings will only have a voice when their parents are in dispute and then d

Children of divorce have to deal with a range of emotions as well as the radical changes that usually takes place both in the behaviour and state of mind of their parents and in their lifestyles.