Deeper understanding of child rights is essential for every parent, teacher

This convention puts forward the point that children are human beings and individuals with their own rights.

It acknowledges that children have the right to express their opinions and to have those opinions heard and acted upon when appropriate, to be protected from abuse or exploitation, and to have their privacy protected, and it requires that their lives not be subject to excessive interference.

Parents reading this column may wonder - Why is this relevant to me? I am not involved in exploiting a child through abuse, trafficking, child labour or any other form of violence. I take good care of my children. I give them all they need.

The truth is that this charter of child rights is applicable to most of us in ways we do not realise. If a society has a responsibility to “protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence” (Article 19 of the charter) What does that really mean? Could it be possible at all that we parents or teachers might be violating children’s rights in our homes and schools?

In our workshops, we do an exercise with parents. We ask them to imagine a situation where their children have delayed them in going out for a function and share how they may respond. This is what they say:

Come on, you are such a nuisance. Why are you not ready?

If you don’t put on your shoes right now, I am leaving you here.

You deserve on whack. You always make us late.

We then ask them, “If it was your friend or some other adult, who were delaying you what wouldyou say?”

Immediately their tone, voice, and way of speaking changes. They become respectful and say things like, “How can I help you? It’sgetting late. We need to leave.”

Why children and adults are not accorded the same respect?

This example highlights our belief that adults and children need to be treated differently. Adults are worthy of respect. Not children. It seems to be acceptable to hit, shame, label, and use authority with a child. We believe that it’s being done to “teach” and “discipline” them.

And now I invite you to pause to consider that children have rights. As the UNRCR charter says, “Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights.”

Parents may argue, “Isn’t it my business to discipline my child as I see fit?” But we are asking you to consider the fact that the way each of us raises younger human beings affects not only the individual child but has a long-term effect on families and communities. That is why 196 countries have signed this charter and taken on the responsibility of ensuring that “ children can develop their personalities, abilities, and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of happiness, love, and understanding;” And we need to take this responsibility seriously when raising younger human beings.

The obvious and not so obvious ways we don’t honour children’s rights

A parent shared how her child studying in class 10 child was made to stand on the desk for one period as a punishment. The parent felt this was quite an acceptable way of “correcting” her child.

Another parent said her mother-in-law would put the 3-year-old child outside the house every time she found the child not behaving as expected. She felt it was being done with the best of intentions.

We make up stories about policemen coming to take away the child if they don’t do what we want. Isn’t this exploitation of a child who is so vulnerable and dependent on us for sustenance.

We speak about them in their presence as if they are not even visible. "She is so stubborn. She doesn’t listen.”

These are some examples to think about. We have not included obvious violations such as corporal punishment.

“Never treat a child in a way that you would not want to be treated.”

This quote from Barbara Coloroso, Author of Kids are worth it — Giving your child the gift of inner discipline can be a guiding factor when we want to consider a child’s rights. Children are the largest silent minority. They are vulnerable and cannot fight for themselves. We as a society owe them care and protection.

Our campaign this year aims to create awareness about the rights of children by saying NO to all forms of punishment. Verbal or non-verbal. Physical or emotional. Our slogan is to honour the body, mind, heart, and spirit of every child. We join hands with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to create a world where every child is given the dignity of being a “Younger human being” and not just a child.