Application of the Best Interest of the Child Principle in Transnational Parenting: A Case Study of Mutare Urban District

Abstract

The quest of the study was to investigate the application of the best interests of the child principle in transnational parenting, using a case study of Mutare urban district. The study objectives were to assess the application of the best interests of the child in decision making in transnational parenting; determine the knowledge levels of children and caregivers on best interest of the child in transnational parenting. The study made use of the Mixed Method Research following the Sequential Exploratory approach. This paradigm allowed the use of both qualitative and quantitative research techniques in gathering information. The Mixed Method Research methodology enabled the researcher to use aspects of both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The use of in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires as tools helped to gain more understanding on the application of child in the context of transnational parenting. The findings of the study revealed that the application of the best interest of the child in transnational parenting is very minimum. The study showed that children are very much aware of their needs and wants such that they should be involved in decisions to do with their welfare however the study attests otherwise as choices are taken away from the child. Drawing from the research findings, the study concluded that decision making in transnational parenting does not consider the best interest of the child. Furthermore, they are mostly influenced by the socio-economic needs of the family that the child is staying with, other competing interest such as the needs of other family members and also whether the caregiver choses to highlight what may be in the best interest of the child. Having assessed and investigated the application of the best interest of the child rights principle in transnational parenting, the study recommended that the government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should monitor the set curricula to allow learning and understanding of child rights as a protective measure towards violence against children.