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Assessing the best interests of the child

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Donald M. Thomson  and
Susan E. Molloy
Donald M. Thomson*
Affiliation:
Charles Sturt University
Susan E. Molloy
Affiliation:
Charles Sturt University
*
Charles Sturt University, BATHURST NSW 2795, E-mail: dthomson@csu.edu.au
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Abstract

The concept of the best interests of the child pervades legislation to do with children and guidelines for psychological assessment. In this paper, we critically evaluate the way that courts and psychologists employ this concept of the best interests of the child. Difficulties in operationalising the concept are explored. Cultural biases are identified. Procedures to minimise individual and cultural biases and to make the process more transparent are proposed.

Keywords

Best InterestsCultural DifferencesGuidelinesRights of the ChildTransparency
Type
Research Article
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , 2001 , pp. 5 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 2001

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