“No social problem is universal as the oppression of a child. No slave was ever so much the property of his master as the child is of his parent” (Maria Montessori). Children rights are applicable to every human being under the age of 18 years, regardless of their race, sex, colour or social background. Despite the rights outline by the United Nation Convention there are various persons who try to violate these rights. Children are like flowers they have to be nourished and groom so that they can blossom and spread their fragrances for a brighter future. In the United Nation Convention there are four categories of rights. This paper will clearly explain these categories of rights and present a discussion on whether or not these rights are being violated or catered to.
The United Nation Convention on the rights of a Child is a comprehensive, internationally, binding agreement on the rights of children, adopted by the United Nation General Assembly in 1989. This convention is established to transform the way the world view children. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care, education and legal, civil and social services. The Convention spells out four categories of rights that a child under 18 has. The first category of rights is Survival Rights, these includes the right to life and the needs that are more basic to existence, such as nutrition, shelter, adequate standard of living and access to medical services. The second category of rights is, Development Rights which includes the right to an education, play, leisure, cultural activities and access to information. The third category of rights is Protection Rights this includes the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. The fourth category of rights is Participation Rights this encompasses children’s freedom to express opinion, to have a say in matters affecting their own lives, to join associations