1. Contemporary Childhoods - in an age of childrens rights Nóirín Hayes School of Social Sciences and Law, Dublin Institute of Technology, Centre for Social and Educational Research noirin.hayes@dit.ie

2. Human Rights/Childrens Rights Human Rights –Inherent, universal rights of all human beings –Held by all equally, universally and forever –Inalienable, indivisible, independent –Democratic ideals –Universal Declaration of Human Rights –http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/background.shtmhttp://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/background.shtm –Childrens Rights are additional/specific rights

3. Brief History Childhood – a contested concept Recognition of childhood – 16 th /17 th centuries – child no longer a miniature adult By early 18 th century there were some references to the rights of children Various campaigns to abolish child labour [US/UK] 1924 – Declaration on the Rights of the Child [Eglantyne Jebb] adopted by League of Nations Accepted by UN and updated in 1959 Replaced by more extensive UN Convention in 1989

4. UNCRC and childhood The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child –Is a landmark in the history of childhood –Embodies a symbolic re-arrangement of the place of children in society –Positions the child as an object of protection and a subject of rights –Is driving an important change in the legal paradigm - - from child as object to child as subject

5. Opportunities and challenges Transformation from authoritarian, paternalistic and discriminating practices But - - some key concepts are vague, indefinite, ambiguous and highly contested High international consensus on principles – low intensity of enforcement Participation often confused with consultation – devoid of political value and empty of real significance

6. The arguments for Childrens Rights Children are individuals Children start life dependent on others Government policies impact on children more strongly than on any other group in society Childrens views are rarely heard, rarely considered

7. The arguments for Childrens Rights Changes in society have more sudden and disproportionate impacts on children Healthy development of children is a benefit to all Well educated children are a benefit to all Costs of failing children are significant and long-term - - - for them and for society

8. A rights view of children Considering children through a rights based lens we see children who are: –Competent –Strong –Active –Participatory –Meaning-makers –Fellow citizens

9. Respecting children - realising childrens rights Influencing society and raising awareness –Children still seen as lesser or inferior –Concept of rights is abstract –Attitudes are firmly held –Hearts and minds difficult to change Government commitment –Policy priorities –Budget allocation Resistance to real engagement with the concept of childrens rights in practice – including media practice