This new blog is about the work of Doudou Zhong, an MSc candidate at the University of Edinburgh, examining how the rights of children from Armed Forces families in Scotland are protected, fulfilled, and promoted during periods of parental separation caused by military service. The blog is part of a series exploring MSc students’ findings, who worked with the support of Together, the Observatory of Children’s Human Rights in Scotland and Forces Children Scotland.  

Zhong draws on children’s voices, surveys of non-serving parents, and insights from education professionals to explore lived experiences of parental separation within the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).  

Children described emotional distress, ongoing anxiety, and disruptions to routines during deployments. Many developed their own coping strategies such as writing letters or turning to peers and clubs, while non-serving parents reported the strain of balancing caregiving with household demands. Professionals acknowledged the needs of these children but noted that support often hinges on individual empathy rather than systematic approaches.  

The research highlights a disconnect between children’s articulated needs and institutional capacity, with uneven support from schools, community services and coordination across military, educational, and public sectors.  

Researchers call for integrated, rights-based frameworks that recognise children as active rights holders looking to embed emotional literacy and participatory opportunities into school practices and strengthening cross-sector collaboration to ensure continuity of support. 

The study underscores the importance of listening to children’s voices and aligning policy and practice with UNCRC principles to better protect their wellbeing during periods of parental separation