Children are humans who have not reached the age of legal adulthood. They are not fully adults and are not allowed to take certain risks, like getting married or joining the army. This is because they lack the experience and knowledge needed to make those decisions. They also cannot legally vote or drive a car. However, they are still very important to society and they have many rights. The rights of children must be respected and protected no matter what their religion or beliefs, ethnicity or language.

How children are treated and what their duties and responsibilities are varies widely between cultures. For example, in traditional Sub Sahara African culture a child is a precious treasure to be nurtured and cared for. In Christianity, children have a God-given value and identity. They are physical, moral, spiritual, cognitive and emotional beings. They are capable of love, learning and worship. They are also a link between human generations.

In modern Western societies, a change in attitudes to children began to emerge by the late 19th century. The Victorian middle classes emphasized the importance of family and the sanctity of childhood. A new genre of children’s literature emerged, with authors creating books attuned to a child’s imagination. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865, was a landmark work in this period.

A kid is a young goat, lamb or calf, but it can also refer to a pre-pubescent person or an older one, used derogatorily or humorously. Similarly, a leveret is a young rabbit, a kitten is a young cat and a puppy is a young dog. In English, kids is usually used as an informal word to mean someone who is younger than you. The formal word for a child is minor, which can be used in legal or official contexts.

A child’s right to privacy must be respected, and their families should not be forced to live in poverty or go to war. Children should be protected from exploitation and trafficking (being taken advantage of), including sexual, physical or mental abuse. They should be given access to quality education, healthy food and safe housing. If they have been placed away from their parents for their safety or protection, their situation should be reviewed regularly. Governments should provide money or other support to help children from poor families. Children should have the freedom to speak their opinions, express themselves and share information with others – as long as they do not harm other people. They should be able to get the information they need through television, radio, newspapers and the Internet, in languages that they can understand. They should also be able to meet other children to discuss their problems and find solutions. They should be able to have hobbies and join clubs. They should also be encouraged to get into sport and learn a musical instrument. They should have regular medical check-ups and good dental hygiene. They should also have the right to get help if they have been hurt or treated badly. They should not be sent to prison for crimes they have committed unless it is the best way to protect them or prevent serious harm to other people.