The Rights from the Childrens Perspective - Essay Example

There is a need to create an atmosphere where the children could voice opinions and exercise their rights. "In passing, it may be salutary to remind ourselves, at this point that the role of children's rights in the philosophical debate has more often than not been as a testing ground for theories of the right whose main significance is held to lie outwith the world of the child," Alston et al (1992, p.3). This happens because adults have created this world without any voice inclusion of the child. "Many factors seem to influence the way children are included in decision-making.

This could be classified into factors relating to children, factors relating to adults, and factors relating to situations," Thomas and Campling (2000, p.156). And under more or less all the circumstances, it is mainly the adults who make decisions with hardly any contribution from the children. "Underlying this is a concern that according to children their 'rights' may involve adults relinquishing their 'power' and control;" Morrow (1999). In a way, this could tend to overburden children with the pressure of decision-making.

Children's rights should have clear boundaries, separateness, and proper divisibility to make them more coherent. As the adults are making laws, laying the rules, and doing research without involving children's opinions, it remains mostly from the point of view of the adults. abo "In other words, children's perspectives on their rights might be a useful starting point for finding out what they already know and understand about 'citizenship', 'participation', and politics" Morlow (1999). It is also necessary to take into account the social and cultural background of the region and the limits of children's autonomy.

Children, as they grow up, need more information about sex, drugs, and alcohol and they have a right to know to protect themselves. Unfortunately in some societies, children are discouraged from knowing them. Other factors that could influence are age, gender (this is very important in certain cultures and developing countries), and social diversities make an enormous difference here. Children usually feel that they are not trusted; their opinions are not tolerated or even heard, or overruled. Participation in decision-making will decrease this assumption.

"Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that all children and young people have a right to a primary education, which should be free, and those wealthy countries should help poorer countries achieve this".The child has a right to depend upon the parental responsibility throughout the childhood. "Parental responsibility lasts until the child is 18, although, at that upper end of childhood, it should only be exercised in a way, which is consistent with the child's evolving capacity and maturity".