Children of Uxoricide: the Anti-therapeutic Effects of the Construction of Parenthood Pathology in Cases of Family Trauma

Abstract

When children are involved in the murder of one parent by the other, their lives are turned-upside down. They are immediately confronted with police and court interventions and by child welfare decisions. This article looks at the policy of the Dutch Child Protection Board in such cases. We consider the legal arrangements made by the Board for dealing with the child's future residence and any special needs. We also consider the ways in which social workers from the Board depict the families of uxoricide and perceive the future relationship of the child with the surviving parent.

Keywords:

• Parents
• Child Welfare
• Netherlands
• Trauma
• Murder
• Uxoricide