Declaration of the Rights of a Child?

Answer 1

The Declaration of the Rights of a Child is a declaration that lays out the rights that should be afforded to all children. This document was created by Eglantyne Webb and was adopted in 1923 by the International Save The Children Union in Geneva. When the document was created in 1923, it contained five rights of all children. These rights were:

-All children must be given the means for their development, materially and spiritually

-Children have the right to be fed, housed, and to receive adequate medical attention

-Children have the right to be the first to receive help

-Children must be in a position to be able to earn their own livelihood and they are never to be exploited in any way

-Children must be brought up learning that their talents should be used to service others

In 1959, The United Nations General Assembly adopted a larger version of this document, which gave children an additional five rights. Because this was adopted on November 20, 1059 this date is now known as Universal Children’s Day. The additional five rights added at this time include:

-All children have the right to a name and to be a citizen of a country

-Handicapped children have the right to receive special care

-Children have the right to receive love. This should come from parents, but can come from the government when parents are not willing or able

-Children should be taught peace, love, understanding, and friendship. Children should be taught to be tolerant of all people

-All children have the right to attend school at no cost to them or their parents and all children should have an equal chance at development. Parents have a special responsibility when it comes to ensuring their child’s education

These children’s rights are meant to ensure that parents, guardians, teachers, government officials, and others protect and nurture children. In 1989, the Convention on the Rights of a Child was formed and it’s formation was based on these ten rights of all children. This convention was the first to assign a complete range of rights to children.