Seen But Not Heard?

Abstract

Using findings from a study of children's experiences of parental separation and divorce in Botswana, the author examines the extent to which children's expressed needs for information were or were not met by their mothers. A majority of children expressed dissatisfaction about the informational support received from their mothers. Most mothers' abilities to meet children's communication needs were influenced by their perceptions of children, their beliefs of children's needs, their experiences of divorce-related economic distress as well as their feelings about the breakdown of the marriages. The author concludes the article by noting that while Botswana has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in practice, children's rights to information and participation in situations such as divorce are rarely exercised. The conclusion also emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of children from divorced homes and making sure they are listened to.