Children’s Rights in Divorce: A Guide for Parents

While conducting research on the best interests of children, I came across an article that I would like to share. As parents, we often believe that we have the sole authority over our children, but did you know that children also have rights?

Although I am obligated not to edit these rights, I would like to draw your attention to specific points: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17.

KIDFORUMs CHILDREN’S BILL of RIGHTS March 1 – April 20, 1996

We, children from seven countries and three continents, have communicated with each other over the Internet and unanimously agree on the following natural rights of children worldwide, which we hereby endorse:

Preamble:

We firmly believe that a thriving society invests its finest resources and aspirations in the success of its children. Conversely, an unsuccessful society neglects or mistreats its children. Children are the future of our species, and how a society treats its children reflects its perspective on the future.

The Children’s Bill of Rights proposes rights for children that all adults on Earth should uphold, enabling us to create the best possible future for ourselves and subsequent generations. A morally and intellectually competent society is one that respects and safeguards the rights of its children, while a society that fails to do so is both immoral and incompetent.

ARTICLES OF THE CHILDREN’S BILL OF RIGHTS

Section I: ARTICLES THAT ARE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY

1. CHILDREN’S UNIVERSAL RIGHTS

In comparison to adults, children below the age of 18 possess the right to receive special care and protection. Regardless of their country of birth or residence, gender, race, or religion, all children have equal rights.

2. RIGHT TO INHERIT A BETTER WORLD

Children have the right to inherit a world that is at least as promising as the one their parents inherited. Children also have the responsibility to contemplate how they can leave a better world for their own children and, once they reach adulthood, they possess the right and duty to take action.

3. RIGHT TO INFLUENCE THE FUTURE

Children have the right to participate in discussions concerning the direction our society is taking, including significant political, economic, social, and educational issues and policies. By doing so, children can contribute to shaping the world they will grow up in. Adults bear the obligation of expressing their viewpoints on these important matters in language accessible to children and providing them with the same information available to adults. Children deserve the right to understand societal changes and learn how to influence them.

4. RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, OPINION, EXPRESSION, CONSCIENCE, AND RELIGION

Every child possesses the right to express their opinions freely, and adults should acknowledge and consider those opinions when making decisions that affect them. Children also have the right to conduct research to inform their opinions and express their views, seek information, and make their ideas known. Moreover, children have the right to form their own beliefs regarding conscience and religion.

5. RIGHT TO MEDIA ACCESS

Children are entitled to guaranteed access to all significant communication media, enabling them to communicate with their peers nationally and internationally, as well as with adults.

6. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS AFFECTING CHILDREN

Children have the right to participate in all committees and decisions that formulate plans and establish policies directly or indirectly affecting children.

7. RIGHT TO PRIVACY

Children possess the right to privacy to the same extent as adults.

8. RIGHT TO RESPECT AND COURTESY

Adults and children alike should treat children with respect and courtesy.

9. RIGHT TO AN IDENTITY

Children who have been separated from their birth parents at birth or an early age have the right to be aware of this fact. They have the right to know their name, their birth parents’ identities, and the details of their birth.

10. RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

Children have the right to meet others and join or form associations, similar to the rights held by adults.

11. RIGHT TO CARE AND NURTURING

Children have the right to nurturing and caring parents or guardians.

12. RIGHT TO LEISURE AND PLAY

Children have the right to leisure, play, and engagement in cultural and artistic activities. They should enjoy a few hours every day free from concerns.

13. RIGHT TO SAFE WORK

Children have the right to be protected from work that jeopardizes their health, education, or development. They also have the right to receive pocket money to learn how to manage finances.

14. RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING

Every child possesses the right to a standard of living that adequately supports their physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development, regardless of their parents’ wealth.

15. RIGHT TO LIFE, PHYSICAL INTEGRITY, AND PROTECTION FROM MALTREATMENT

Children have the right to be protected from all forms of maltreatment by any adult, including parents. This includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, violence, torture, hitting, slapping, exposure to harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco, mental abuse, and sexual abuse. Infanticide is strictly prohibited, and no child should be coerced into marriage.

16. RIGHT TO A DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT AND CREATIVITY

Children have the right to experience diversity in their surroundings, including various objects, people, and ideas. They have the right to listen to music of their choice and should not have their creativity stifled.

17. RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Every child possesses the right to receive an education aimed at developing their personality, talents, mental and physical abilities to the fullest extent, regardless of their parents’ wealth. Education should foster respect for the child’s parents, cultural identity, language, values, as well as for the cultural backgrounds and values of others. Children are entitled to an excellent education regardless of the school they attend. The quality of education may vary based on teaching philosophies and professional specializations, but all schools should provide a high standard of education.

18. RIGHT TO ACCESS APPROPRIATE INFORMATION AND A BALANCED DEPICTION OF REALITY

Adults have an obligation to provide children with information from diverse sources. Children should be safeguarded from materials considered harmful by adults. They have the right to perceive reality through a balanced and accurate representation.

19. RIGHT NOT TO BE EXPOSED TO PREJUDICE

Children possess the right not to be taught that any group (racial, national, religious, etc.) is superior to another.

Section II: ARTICLES THAT REQUIRE SOCIAL OR NATIONAL POLICIES

20. THE RIGHT TO A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Children have the right to live in a clean environment, encompassing clean water, air, land, and sea.

21. RIGHT TO A SMALL NATIONAL DEBT

Governments and countries must minimize their national debt, which should not burden future generations.

22. RIGHT TO VOTE

Children aged 14 and above possess the right to vote on issues directly impacting children in local, regional, national, and international elections.

23. RIGHT TO MEDICAL CARE

Children have the right to receive the best health and medical care available, regardless of their parents’ wealth, ensuring their well-being and survival.

24. LEGAL RIGHTS

Children accused of crimes are entitled to the same legal rights as adults. No child should be institutionalized against their will without due process.

25. RIGHT NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN WAR

Individuals under the age of 21 have the right to abstain from participating in armed conflicts.

The Children’s Bill of Rights may be freely reproduced and distributed as long as it is shared in its entirety and remains unaltered. This paragraph must be attached when reproduced. As of April 20, 1996, children from seven countries and three continents ratified The Children’s Bill of Rights.