Children’s right to co-determination
Parents know their children best and are responsible for them. At the same time, the UN Children’s Convention also states that children shall have the right to take part in deciding cases that concern them. To what extent should children state their opinion and be heard? Suitable for adult participants.
Quick facts
Activity goals
- To reflect on the relationship between parents and children, focusing on the ability and right of children to take part in deciding matters that concern them.
- To become familiar with the UN Children’s Convention.
- To support the sensitivity and empathy of caregivers in their daily interaction with the child.
Preparation
- Brief introduction about the Children’s Convention and Article 12 about the child’s right to express his or her own views.
Instructions
- Introduction by the facilitator: According to the Children’s Convention parents have the right and obligation to raise the child, guide and support it, and decide on behalf of the child until it turns 18. Article 12 of the convention also says that children have the right to state their views and to be heard. This dilemma will now be examined in a group work session.
- Divide the participants into groups of 4-6, (alternatively four groups where two receive the same task) (30 minutes).
- Group 1: Find arguments where children should have the right to co-determine matters that concern them (in the family, kindergarten or school, society at large)
- Group 2: Find arguments where children should not have the right to co-determine in such matters.
If the groups want, they may distinguish between challenges for children of different ages (toddlers and youths).
- The groups present their arguments in a plenary session. Those who have found arguments for children’s right to co-determination start.
- The facilitator sums up.
Debriefing
The group work has shown that several factors indicate that children should not have the right to co-determination. Children are physically and mentally immature and do not always know what is in their best interests. The younger a child, the less mature. Children and youths need adults who keep them safe and look after them.
On the other hand, there is much to suggest that children’s voices should be heard. When children are heard and taken seriously they develop self-respect and self-confidence, a sense of responsibility and democratic attitudes. The Children’s Convention reflects both these perspectives. Articles 5 and 18 state that parents and guardians must give the child guidance and support, but also underline that this support must be adapted to the child’s gradual development of abilities and faculties.
Article 12 says that a child who is able to form its own views must have the right to state these views in all matters that concern the child. The child’s views must be given due weight in accordance with its age and maturity. Article 12 is often called the Convention’s democracy article. The child is gradually developing into a mature member of society, and therefore should “train” in stating its views and being listened to from an early age. Parents and other caregivers should therefore gradually give children more access to co-determination as they grow into adulthood.
Proposed follow-up activity
The participants can alone or together find examples of children and youths – individuals or groups – who have an important voice in society. Who are they? Which kinds of cases are concerned? What is the background for their engagement?
(English translation: John Anthony)
