It’s possible that without the unpredictable geniuses of the past, the child wouldn’t have emerged. Among these are William Blake, Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, George MacDonald, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, and Hans Christian Andersen. Children’s literature was born in the mid-18th century, but its roots go back even further. Children’s literature began to develop after the Renaissance, and its most influential works were written by those who were not always writers for children.
The concept of the child became a human being in the second half of the eighteenth century. As children became capable of making decisions, they could also become entitled to certain rights. The child’s rights are given recognition for this development. But as the child grows up and learns more, these rights may not be as clear. Therefore, it is essential to listen to children. But how do we know that they’re right? How can we know?
While the biological sciences define a child as a human between the age of birth and puberty, the legal definition includes a fetus. Whether or not puberty is the child’s rite of passage, children have fewer rights than adults. Nevertheless, they remain under the care of a responsible adult. Child custody is a legal process that involves the care of the child. It can be a painful process for both parents.
The rights of children are important. But a child’s right to be heard is not a substitute for the liberty of adults. It is the only opportunity the child has to influence the decision-maker. But it is also important to consider that an adult guardian may have the authority to make these choices for the child. Moreover, this type of decision-making has ramifications for the entire life of the child. So, if children are deprived of this right, they may have to live a life without choice.
In ancient times, the child was not viewed as an actual person. Instead, it was misconstrued. For instance, in the Bible, the child is modeled after God and his father. Children were also considered to be a pre-adult in ancient Greece and Rome. In Euripides’ Alcestis, children are mere stage props. Despite these differences, children have a right to protection. For children, exploitation of any kind must cease.
Whether or not a child has a right to decide who to marry is up for debate. The key issue, of course, is whether the child’s choice is ultimately in the best interests of the child. In addition to that, a child’s choice is different from the adviser’s advice. A child’s choice is different from a parent’s. An adviser is a paternalistic person, and his role is to provide advice.
While many argue that children do have rights, others disagree and think that they shouldn’t. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) gives an example of the rights of a child. However, the language used in the UNCRC reflects a positive rights view. Various philosophical discussions have focused on the concept of children as right holders. These debates shed light on the nature and value of human rights. However, the issue of whether children should have rights is a complex one.