The Children’s Act sets out the responsibilities and rights in respect of children which are acquired by parents (care, contact, guardianship and maintenance), and which allows for the immediate statutory enforcement of these in the various courts. Grandparents of children, however, do not readily acquire these same parental responsibilities
Given the age of technology that we are in and the reliance we place on the internet for just about everything, parents are concerned that inappropriate Internet content may jeopardise the health or safety of their children. Rightly so. The Internet can be wonderful for children. They can use
In South Africa, the extent of sexual exploitation of children has increased drastically, and its nature has changed over time. On a regular basis, there are reports of cases of children rescued from human traffickers and from the clutches of sex slave rings. While some of the stories are
Many parents are unsure as to what their responsibilities and rights are when it comes to their child or children. In cases of a divorce, it is often the case that one spouse may threaten the other spouse stating that they are going to get “full custody” of the
The shooting of Eldorado Park teenager Nathaniel Julies by members of the SAPS has once again brought into sharp focus the issue of police brutality. His senseless murder has sent shockwaves around the globe. Nathaniel, 16, who had Down syndrome, was unarmed when he was gunned down, dragged into
With interprovincial travel now permitted under level 2 of the national lockdown Regulations, many families are relieved about the fact that they can now exercise contact with their children located in a different province, without fear of restriction. Whilst those located within our borders are now moving about freely,
The challenges of being a single parent, whether you are a single mother or a single Father come with a unique set of emotional struggles that can, at times, feel overwhelming. Many single parents grapple with exactly the same issues, namely self-doubt, anxiety over money, missing your child or
Children in Divorce want to be heard and want to participate in the decision-making processes about their future. Children can give input into the decisions being made, but ultimately they are not the decision-makers. The extent of their participation will depend on their age, maturity, and level of development.
The legal duty of parents to continue maintenance during Covid-19 and 21-day national lockdown in South Africa still remains effective. It is even more essential at this time that the parent liable to pay maintenance to the primary caregiver of the child/children continue to do so. A parent who
