Magna Carta for Children?: Rethinking Children's Rights

Are the rights we currently afford to children enough? This book restates the importance of law, policy and rights in improving children's lives. This book will appeal to an interdisciplinary audience who are interested in children's rights, children's studies, the history of childhood, international human rights, and comparative family law.

Format: Hardback
Length: 584 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world, yet everyday children still face poverty, violence, war, disease, and disaster. Are the rights we currently afford to children enough? Combining historical analysis with international human rights law, Michael Freeman considers early legal and philosophical theories on children's rights before exploring the impact and limitations of the Convention itself. He also suggests ways that we may rethink children's rights in the future, as well as identifying key areas for reform. This book will appeal to an interdisciplinary audience interested in children's rights, children's studies, the history of childhood, international human rights, and comparative family law. It is a crucial restatement of the importance of law, policy, and rights in improving children's lives.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a landmark human rights treaty that has been ratified by nearly every country in the world. However, despite its widespread adoption, children continue to face a range of challenges that threaten their well-being and rights. Poverty, violence, war, disease, and natural disasters are just a few of the many obstacles that children face on a daily basis.

One of the primary concerns regarding children's rights is the extent to which the rights afforded to children are sufficient. While the Convention provides a comprehensive framework for protecting children's rights, there are still gaps and inconsistencies in its implementation. Many children continue to live in poverty, without access to basic necessities such as food, water, education, and healthcare. They are also vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and violence, both within their homes and in their communities.

Another issue is the impact of globalization on children's rights. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, children are increasingly exposed to a range of risks and challenges that transcend national borders. They are often subjected to human trafficking, labor exploitation, and forced migration, which can have devastating consequences for their physical and mental health.

In addition to these challenges, children's rights are also affected by cultural and societal norms that often prioritize the interests of adults over the rights of children. For example, girls and women are often subjected to gender-based violence and discrimination, which can limit their opportunities and perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.

To address these issues, there is a need for concerted efforts to promote and protect children's rights. This includes strengthening the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as developing new policies and programs that prioritize the needs and rights of children. It also involves engaging with communities and stakeholders to change cultural and societal norms that perpetuate harm and discrimination against children.

One approach to promoting and protecting children's rights is through the use of international human rights law. International human rights law provides a framework for holding governments. Governments and other actors accountable for their actions and obligations to protect and promote children's rights. It also provides a platform for children to seek justice and redress for violations of their rights.

Another approach is to focus on the development of policies and programs that address the root rights of children in specific contexts. For example, programs that provide access to education and healthcare for children in poverty or programs that support children affected by conflict or disaster. These programs can help to break the cycle of poverty and inequality and promote children's social and economic development.

In addition to these approaches, there is a need to engage with communities and stakeholders to promote children's rights. This involves building partnerships and partnerships between governments, civil society the society, and other stakeholders to promote children's rights and support their implementation. It also involves engaging with communities and stakeholders to change cultural and societal norms that perpetuate harm and discrimination against children.

Finally, there is a need to prioritize the rights of children in all policies and programs that affect children. This includes policies and programs that address issues such as poverty, violence, war, disease, and disaster, as well as policies and programs that address issues such as education, healthcare, and social protection. By prioritizing the rights of children in all policies and programs, we can ensure that children are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights are protected and promoted.

In conclusion, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a landmark human rights treaty that has made significant progress in protecting the rights of children. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that children's rights are fully realized and protected. By combining historical analysis with international human rights law, engaging with communities and stakeholders, and prioritizing the rights of children in all policies and programs, we can work towards the world to create a safer and more just world for all children.

Weight: 842g
Dimension: 145 x 223 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107152823