Family mediation in Portugal: Regards to children participation, viewed from the professional's perception

Abstract

Divorce is a reality experienced each day by more and more families. Mediation is one of the methods to litigate conflict. It focuses on dialogue and communication between parents. This study took place in Portugal, where mediation has started in the early 90ties and has since been developed. In the same context, we have been able to see in the world a rise of consciousness related to the rights of children to participate. The aim was to observe the reality of mediation in Portugal, the importance it took in the Portuguese families‟ conflicts. The main goal was to learn from the professionals‟ perceptions; based on cases they worked, especially on how to deal with children in mediation, its advantages and disadvantages. This study contains the insights from five mediators‟ interviews with different backgrounds and years of experience. The findings showed how the Portuguese government has not given much support to the practice of mediation, especially by not providing good work conditions for the mediators. Furthermore, they also sustained the idea, that mediators are lacking knowledge on techniques and training to include children in participation. However, from the cases studied in this dissertation, the method of incorporating children in the mediation seems to be rewarding for the family but also for the children themselves.