The UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) embodied a set of provisions to protect the child’s right to participate. As you can see, CRC stipulates the child’s right to express a voice in decisions affecting his or her life but it guards such rights by certain conditions that guarantee that the outcome represents the best interest of both the child and society. Although it states that the child has the right to freedom of expression, it should not infringe on other rights or contradict the national order.
For a child who grew up with very old-fashioned parents, “The Right to Participate” was unheard of at home. An important decision like college course was chosen by mother. The choice of school was decided by mother too which turned out to be one of her best decisions. Really, as kids of the seventies, they barely had a voice. Raising an opinion automatically branded them as disrespectful children. Parenting teens in the late nineties exposed us to a whole new world of parenting. We can look back at the past and here are few instances of their right to participate. Respecting children’s views means that such views should not be ignored; it does not mean that children’s opinions should be automatically endorsed. Expressing an opinion is not the same as taking a decision, but it implies the ability to influence decisions. A process of dialogue and exchange needs to be encouraged in which children assume increasing responsibilities and become active, tolerant and democratic. In such a process, adults must provide direction and guidance to children while considering their views in a manner consistent with the child’s age and maturity. Give them informed decisions.
The children’s right to participation as outlined in article 12 is closely linked to freedom of expression. It is also related to fulfilling the right to information, a key prerequisite for children’s participation to be relevant and meaningful. It is in fact essential that children be provided with the necessary information about options that exist and the consequences of such options so that they can make informed and free decisions.
Kids are so much luckier these days. They have speedy access to information and given more rights to speak, participate and decide. The child has the right to be “heard” during all types of activity. This means that adults are listening, observing and respecting the child’s viewpoints when he or she is speaking, gesturing, playing, creating, and choosing.
By: Lolly B. Ravago | Teacher III | Bonifacio Camacho National High School | Abucay, Bataan
