There has never been a more critical time to inform and inspire future
generations about their rights. Children and adolescents have the same basic
human rights as adults, as well as additional rights that address their unique
needs. Children are neither their parents' property nor needy recipients of
charity.
They are human beings who have their own set of rights. Since children
and young people are seldom in a position to advocate for themselves, a
legislative system that recognises and protects their best interests is
crucial. The Child Rights Convention acknowledges both children's basic human
dignity and the importance of ensuring their well-being and growth. It makes
clear that a basic standard of living should be a right for all children, not a
luxury enjoyed by a select few.
Children are trustworthy, naive, and hopeful. Their childhood should be filled
with joy and love. As they acquire new experiences, their lives can mature
gradually. However, for many youngsters, childhood is a very different
experience. Children have been neglected and manipulated throughout history.
Hunger and homelessness are common occurrences, as are hazardous working
conditions, high infant mortality, inadequate health care, and insufficient
resources for basic education.
Childhood is something that can and should be
protected. Children have the right to live, develop, be safe, and have a say in
how their lives are formed. Children start their lives ass fully dependent
beings. Adults must provide the nurturing and encouragement that children need
as they progress toward independence. Adults in children's families are the best
source of such nurturing, but when primary adult caregivers are unable to meet
children's needs, it is up to the State, as the primary duty bearer, to find an
alternative in the child's best interests. Government acts, or inactions, have a
greater effect on children than on any other community in society.
Children are
impacted by almost every aspect of government policy, from education to public
health. Short-sighted policymaking that ignores the needs of children has a
negative effect on the future of all members of society. Children do not vote
and do not participate in democratic systems in the conventional sense.
Children's voices go unheard on several crucial topics that concern them now or
may affect them in the future if particular attention is not paid to their
viewpoints – as expressed at home and in classrooms, in local communities, and
even in legislatures.
Hence, Children's opinions should be respected and taken
into account during the election process. Many societal changes have
disproportionately negative consequences on children. Globalization, climate
change, digitalization, mass migration, shifting job patterns, and a diminishing
social safety net all have a significant effect on children in many countries.
In times of armed conflict and other crises, the consequences of these changes
can be especially devastating.
The future well-being of every community depends
on the healthy development of children. Children are more vulnerable than adults
to poor living conditions such as poverty, insufficient health care, education,
clean water, housing, and pollution while they are still growing. Disease,
malnutrition, and poverty all risk children's futures, and therefore the futures
of the communities in which they live. The costs of failing society's children
are enormous.
The results of social science indicate that a child's early
experiences have a profound impact on their future growth. Their contribution,
or expense, to society over the course of their lives is determined by their
growth.
References
- Child rights importance, Child rights and you, (last visited on
18th April, 2021 at
11:36pm) http://uk.cry.org/knowus/importanceofchildrights.html
- Child rights and why they matter, Convention on the rights of the Child,
Unicef.org, https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/child-rights-why-they-matter (last
visited on 19th April, 2021 at 12:12am)
- Why Children’s rights are central to international child health, US
National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2083315/ (last
visited on 19th April, 2021 at 12:35 pm)
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