A child is a person who is between the ages of infancy and teenhood. Children are a vital part of the human family, and their well-being is crucial to society. However, the definition of a child has been defined in many different ways throughout history and across cultures. This seminar examines these diverse definitions of a child in order to interrogate the nature of a child and its implications for research, policy and practice.
The term child is also a social construct, and this meaning of the word has been shaped by society’s values, beliefs, practices and traditions. For example, the Bible describes children as unique creations of God with their own identity, value and purpose. As such, they should be nurtured in their families and communities of faith to develop their abilities to know and worship God.
This is not to deny the important role that adults play in the development of their children’s abilities, but the Bible emphasizes the centrality of a child’s relationship with God. This relationship must be established and maintained throughout a child’s life, and it is in the context of this relationship that children are able to develop their spiritual, emotional, cognitive and social abilities.
In addition to parents, children learn from the media they watch, the movies and books they read, and the people they interact with in their everyday lives. For this reason, it is important to model healthy, positive behaviors and to encourage your children to watch and read quality media that promotes kindness.
Another way to reinforce a positive view of kindness is to teach your children how to help others. For example, if your children ask to purchase Girl Scout cookies from neighbors and you allow them, explain that by doing so they are helping the girls selling the cookies raise money for their club. This type of activity is one of the best ways to instill a positive view of kindness.
While the Convention on the Rights of the Child has helped to change the way that children are viewed and treated in international law, the reality is that the world still faces serious challenges in ensuring that all children enjoy their rights. In 2023 alone, grave violations against children increased by 21%. This was driven by the continuing escalation of violence against children in armed conflict around the world, especially in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Libya and Syria.
As the world celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is time to recommit to its goals and principles, which are critical to achieving a better future for all children. This includes ensuring that all children receive the care and support they need to flourish. It also means that all adults – including parents, teachers and nannies – understand and uphold the rights of children, and are committed to taking measures to protect and promote these rights.