- Define and explain Children's Rights in your own words
- Use key terms such as UNCRC accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Children's Rights: covers the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the protections it gives young people.
Covers the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the protections it gives young people.
Key ideas
Children have their own convention
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, recognises that children need special protection as they grow. It groups rights into protection (from harm and exploitation), provision (of education, healthcare and an adequate standard of living) and participation (having a say in decisions that affect them). It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, shaping child-protection laws in countries around the world.
Rights belong to everyone
Human rights are universal, meaning they apply to all people in all countries, and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away — though they can be limited in specific situations, such as prison sentences decided by courts. They include civil and political rights like free speech and a fair trial, and economic and social rights like education and healthcare. No government grants these rights; governments are expected to respect and protect them.
Key term — UNCRC: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) is the international treaty guaranteeing children's rights to protection, provision and participation.
Why do children need their own rights convention?
Because children are still developing and need special protection, provision and a say in decisions affecting them.
Answer: Because children are still developing and need special protection, provision and a say in decisions affecting them.
- 'Children's rights matter less than adults' rights' Children's rights are fully human rights, plus extra protections because children are still developing. The UNCRC exists precisely because children need more safeguarding, not less.
- 'Rights mean I can do whatever I want' Rights always have limits and come with responsibilities. Your rights end where someone else's begin — free speech does not cover bullying or hate speech.
Practice
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the treaty guaranteeing children's rights.
Basic freedoms and protections belonging to every person simply for being human.
In 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris.
Their shouting infringes classmates' right to learn; rights are limited by the rights of others and carry responsibilities.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "UNCRC"?
Give one example of a right and the responsibility that comes with it.
- Children's Rights: covers the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the protections it gives young people.
- Children have their own convention: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, recognises that children need special protection as they grow.
- human rights: Human rights are basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person, everywhere, simply because they are human — such as the right to life, liberty and education.
- Watch out for: 'Children's rights matter less than adults' rights'