Barn nr. 3–4, 2019 – Temanummer: FNs barnekonvensjon

The overall goal of the special issue of BARN is to learn more about and critically reflect upon the policies and practices related to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the Nordic Region today. Children’s participation may challenge, and interests may differ and conflict with each other. Sometimes the child’s opinion is in conflict with what parents, teachers, social workers, child welfare teachers, medical doctors or politicians consider as best for the child. One may ask if the child’s perspective is sought after primarily in less important decisions, or if it is taken into account first and foremost when it corresponds with adults’ views. Expressions such as ‘child’s best interest’ and ‘child’s perspective’ have a great symbolic effect, in politics, law, academia, and practice. In total 11 papers inquire into the theme of children’s rights in the Nordic context with diverse theoretical, methodological and thematic approaches.