Children’s Rights and Power: Charging up for a New Century

The author’s argument throughout this text is that the rights of children concern their entitlement to be treated as people regardless of their age, circumstances or context. Mary John problematizes the assumption underlying current policies and practices which operate as if children are the same worldwide in terms of universal developmental stages, and as if cultural context and experience are not relevant. The needs and experiences of young people are most frequently defined by parents, educators, professionals, and policy makers in ways similar to disabled individuals. John examines thinking about children as an oppressed minority rights group, rendered invisible, and explores the means by which society can ensure that the voice of young people – the real experts - is heard and contributes to social change. Chapter 1 illustrates the ways in which children have been conceptualized as “becoming” adults, not yet fully developed as persons. Children’s needs are most often derived from an adult viewpoint that underscores particular social and economic goals. The significant medical and educational interventions of the last century have been based on children’s needs as defined by professional concepts, assumptions, priorities and goals. In chapter 2, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is discussed in terms of the 3 “P’s” –participation, protection and provision. John adds an important 4th “P” – power, an issue rarely considered in the children’s rights literature, and an essential element to consider if an inclusive view of children is to be achieved. In Chapter 3, John highlights the fact that children are rendered invisible by the practices used in collecting data about them, and because they are considered a social group represented within the family unit, their invisibility extends to national and international social statistics. The corporate construction of desire is the focus of chapter 4, wherein we are presented with the ways in which commerce and big business shape children’s values and consciousness. Ultimately, children as consumers are far from free, and are rendered powerless; ‘hostages who are conscripted into consumption’ (p.129). John shatters some commonly held myths in chapter 5, primarily the belief that childhood is relatively stress-free. Assumptions abound about children growing up in a “normal” environment. It is argued that a key feature of childhood experience is surviving, tolerating and enduring unbearable circumstances and experiences. Another myth is that children know and understand little. Once again, evidence is presented that illustrates that children do indeed know what is going on, but are powerless to change things. Chapter 6 extends the debate to focus on children as workers under a wide variety of circumstances, in many different geographical contexts. The main message here is that this examination of the involvement of children in warfare and work demonstrates their power and challenges culturally-based assumptions about young people. Many examples are provided in chapters 7 and 8 illustrating young people being recognized for the citizens that they are, actively participating in exercising real power and contributing to policy making. The three examples include a Youth Council in Devon, a Children’s Parliament in India, and a Free School in North America. These model programs demonstrate that adult-child relationships must change significantly in order for children to be powerful, and that power sharing is an underlying factor. This book challenges us to find ways to incorporate the perspectives and experiences of young people into studies, to engage them as co-researchers and to enter their worlds. Taking children seriously directs us to thinking about children’s own needs and desires as young persons in and of themselves. Children should be consulted in matters that affect them, including the design and implementation of policies directed toward them and the services provided on their behalf. It is only then can we truly understand their lives and access their worlds in authentic ways.

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