LOOKING BACK & LOOKING FORWARD

In this chapter I will answer, and reflect on, the first part of the main question for this PhD research, namely:

This question consists of several sub-questions that each merit individual reflection, namely:

• 1) Is it possible to understand children's rights violations if analyzed within a legal pluralist framework (as developed in this thesis)?

  • a. Can this be done, taking into account the child's perspective?

  • b. Can this be done, taking into account the relations of power corresponding to the different legal orders surrounding children?

• 2) If it is possible, in general, to understand children's rights violations if analyzed within a legal pluralist framework (as developed in this thesis), is this possible for children's rights violations in different cultural, social and political contexts?

• 3) If all this is possible, does it lead to a better understanding of children's rights violations than when analyzed

  • a. From non-legal pluralist framework

  • b. Without taking into account the child's perspective

  • c. Without taking into account the relations of power corresponding to the different legal orders surrounding children

• 4) How can this understanding be used to improve the concrete situation of children?

All these questions I will attempt to answer based on the data as presented in previous chapters, as well as a reflection on the theoretical framework and methodology in relation to the three case studies of this thesis. Questions 1–3 will be answered in this chapter, question 4 will be answered in chapter 9. In terms of structure, each paragraph will answer a different sub-question. Where relevant (§8.1, 8.3.1 and 8.3.2), the general answer, in light of the complete research, will be followed by specific answers per case study.

UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, ANALYZED WITHIN A LEGAL PLURALIST FRAMEWORK

In chapters 1–4 of this thesis, a theoretical framework and accompanying methodology were developed for a potentially better understanding of children's rights violations.