Talking about Children's Rights in Judicial Custody and Visitation Decision-Making

Abstract

The excellent volume that provided the impetus for these symposium writings, Legal and Mental Health Perspectives on Child Custody Law: A Deskbookfor Judges, provides a major service to judges and thus to the families and children who come before them. Its authors deserve praise and thanks. This article presents the argument that family law and the Deskbook would benefit from talking more openly and confi dently about children's rights. Before explaining my concerns, let me review some of the many things I admire about the Deskbook and its unique contributions to the literature on children and families.