Children’s Rights in Family Law: Comparative Insights into Best Interests Principles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/legalis.v3i3.812Keywords:
Best Interests of The Child, Child Custody, Child Protection Law, Family Law Systems, Child Rights and Justice, Adoption and Surrogacy, Immigration and ChildrenAbstract
This narrative review examines how the principle of the “best interests of the child” is applied across legal systems. Using a thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed literature (2020–2025) from Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed, the study explores its implementation in custody, adoption, immigration, child marriage, and non-traditional families. Findings highlight uneven enforcement shaped by patriarchal norms, legal pluralism, and institutional gaps. While European jurisdictions showcase holistic child-centered approaches, many developing countries face persistent challenges. Key recommendations include harmonized legislation aligned with the CRC, guaranteed child participation rights, and systemic reforms that strengthen judicial training, inter-sectoral collaboration, and public awareness. This review contributes by integrating comparative insights across regions and emphasizing the urgency of context-sensitive, rights-based reforms.
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