NCJ Number
129322
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (1991) Pages: 89-97
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The article argues that children's rights are necessary to establish modern economic and political systems. Five models of children's rights are presented to show the importance of childhood to society and national development.
Abstract
Children's rights are defined here broadly as the principles and behaviors directed at children which are prescribed by shared values, policies, legislation, and court decisions. Three types of rights are used for the argument of the relationship between childhood and national development: rights of protection, rights of choice, and rights of entitlement. The five models presented are (1) children's rights and national development cannot be usefully related to each other, (2) national development is necessary for children to be given rights, (3) national development makes it necessary to give rights to children, (4) national development will be impaired if children are not given rights, and (5) national development cannot occur without children's rights. Economic and social development are discussed as they relate to the different kinds of development and rights of children. A discussion of legislation for children involving the rights of protection and the rights of choice concludes the article. 19 references