THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Children are important  in every home and society, Every newly married couple  looks toward to having children. Children belong both to their families and to the society at large. Parents, government and non-government organisations work together to ensure that children are trained to be useful to themselves and their society.

However, ignorance, poverty, greed and many other factors have made some parents bad at caring for their children such children may become prey to bad people in the society. For example, some children may be sexually abused as they hawk their parent's goods on the street while others ,may even be killed by hoodlums, those who survived the hardship or lack of care are usually affected  emotionally, so they live in fear  and do not do well in their studies.   , some may grow up to become a nuisance to society.  

All these problems and much more led to the signing of a treaty on the Rights of the child. The United Nations Convention on the right of the child stresses that the right of the child should be protected and enforced.   

The rights of the child are many, parents, as well as the society in general, should Endeavour to uphold these right so that we can have children who are physically morally, educationally and spiritually sound.

First is the right to provision:  children have the right to a good standard of living and good health care as well as access to good education and services , the right to play  and recreation. secondly, children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse, including sexual and mistreatment, they  have the right to be accepted,  treated well without any  form  of discrimination they  should not be engaged in any form of hard labour .

Thirdly, children have the right to participate in their immediate communities and engage in programme and services such as youth activities and cultural activities, they should  be involved in decision-making .

Parents, as well as schools and religious organisation, are to teach children moral values. It is the responsibility of parents to bring their children up to know and obey God. They should guide and counsel children on what to do, as children depend on their parents for guidance. 

Children, on the other hand, have responsibilities to their parents, guardians  and society, these  includes running errands and helping to perform household chores for example  sweep and tidy the house,  wash dishes & clothes .

Children must be obedient to their parents. They should talk their advice and counselling so as to be useful members of their families and society. Children should always report to their parents or guardians when something bad happens to them. 

All societies have laws that must be obeyed; children should be good citizens by obeying the laws of their society because   they are the leaders of the future.