NEW ARTICLE: The researchers Jenny Krutzinna, Katre Luhamaa, Tarja Pösö and Marit Skivenes have just published a study examining whether and how governments and child protection systems consider the future of infants when making care order decisions. It is titled: “What about their future? An analysis of child protection systems’ focus on the future of new-born children in care order decisions”, and is published in the International Journal of Childhood and Chrildren’s Services.
Using unique data from newborn removal judgements covering 220 children across eight European countries, they find that few judgements consider a child’s future as an adult. Instead, two main types of considerations are prevalent: (1) a prevention focus, stressing the child’s immediate need for protection from possible harm, and (2) a provision focus, emphasizing the child’s developmental needs.
Looking Ahead?
The study shows that while nearly all judgments (94%) mention the “future,” most do so in a narrow sense. Courts focus heavily on short-term prevention (e.g. parental capacity to provide safety) and provisions (e.g. stable placements or visitation rights). Reflections on children’s lives as adults and how they might grow into responsible citizens are rare, which appear in only 6% of cases. Still, England clearly stands out, as they were found to consider 23% of children’s future as adults.
Implications
By limiting “future” to immediate safety and care logistics, courts risk overlooking children’s broader life trajectories. The authors call for greater awareness at both individual and policy-levels. Practically, this could be achieved by updating judicial guidance and policies that require a more explicit consideration of children’s adulthood prospects.
This article is part of the Children’s Right to Participation project. The study is available here (with subscription). For those who are interested in reading but do not have access, please contact the corresponding author, Marit Skivenes (marit.skivenes@uib.no).
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