Blog: Children’s rights are for all children
In the Finnish calendar, November 20th is designated as the Day of Children’s Rights and the week of November 15th-20th as the Week of Children’s Rights. This day has been in our calendar since 2002. The UN approved and ratified the Convention on Children’s Human Rights in 1989, and the convention came into effect in Finland 30 years ago, at the beginning of 1991.
Children’s rights include non-discrimination of children, acknowledgement of children’s interests, children’s right to life and development, and respect for children’s personal views. These rights apply to individuals aged under 18. Their realization in Finland is monitored by the Parliament, the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children.
Children’s rights are for all children. Adults are responsible for providing appropriate care and security to children and for listening to their opinions.
The best defender of children’s rights was Jesus. The Bible tells us that Jesus rebuked the disciples who did not allow children to come to Him. Jesus said to them: ”Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark. 10:14.)
When considering children’s right, we may turn to our own childhood, thinking about the rearing practices of that time and wondering whether we experienced fairness and justness at home.
Many home rearing practices are passed on from one generation to the next. The foundation of life in a believing home is God’s word, which guides the parents to treat their children with fairness, love and equality.
Many of our memories of fairness in childhood are related to how fairly candy or other treats were divided between the siblings. I was told by a friend that their children used a ruler to make sure each child got a big enough slice of ice-cream or exactly the same amount of soda pop.
Parents may wonder if they have been good enough in their parenthood. Their minds may be weighed down by worries about their own resources, the daily work, their children’s well-being. No-one can be a perfect parent. Yet we cannot leave children to grow by themselves; in difficult situations parents may seek the help of society. All children are equally valuable, all of them gifts of God.
By their own example of respecting children and treating them equally, adults can teach children and young people to behave kindly toward other people. Awareness of children’s rights prevents maltreatment of children. Adults with a positive attitude provide security to children and promote their mental growth. A good and consistent home environment helps children to develop skills that strengthen their self-esteem and development.
Human life passes through different stages, and disappointments are inevitable even in childhood. Events influence children in various ways and shape the way they experience the world. Difficult life situations may ultimately prove beneficial and enhance children’s ability to adjust and cope.
When I think back to my own childhood, I remember we did many things together and participated in the daily chores, each according to their age-appropriate abilities. Although there was a lot of hard work, I mostly have good memories of my childhood. Those experiences lay a good foundation for adulthood. My parents emphasized polite behavior and made a clear distinction between good and evil. When I was young, I sometimes found the limits too strict, but I have later realized that they were just a way of caring.
Jotka kyynelin kylvävät, ne riemuiten korjaavat. Jotka itkien menevät kylvämään vakkaansa kantaen, ne riemuiten palaavat kotiin lyhteet sylissään. Ps. 126:5–6
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