Children’s participation in decision-making processes in child protection services: Cultural perspective

In recent years, researchers increasingly recognize of the importance of children’s right to participate in decision-making processes in child protection services. While the importance of children’s participation is widely acknowledged, research suggests that this participation can may adversely affect children when committees do not constitute a “safe space” that is sensitive to the needs of the child. These needs are often influenced by the children’s cultural values and norms, their families, and the broader socio-cultural milieu. The present study provides an in-depth analysis of the experience of participating in committees from the perspective of Arab-Israeli children. It illuminates both the effective mechanisms that encourage their participation and the obstacles that impede it. The findings reveal that children’s participation in decision-making processes is influenced by various cultural and systemic factors. These results emphasize the need to design culturally sensitive mechanisms in child protection services to empower children and enable them to participate in decision that concern their lives.