The debate on children's rights in the United States

The Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed by the United States under President Clinton in 1995. However, it was not voted on by Congress; therefore, it was not ratified (see definitions) by the US. This means that the US is not bound to follow the CRC and grant children these rights. It is not law in the US.

The United States and Somalia are the only two countries who have not ratified the CRC. Somalia however, does not have a functioning government and cannot sign the Convention. There are many good reasons on both sides of the debate in the US.

What do you think?

• Promotes good child development in:
  • Education
  • Health
  • Participation & responsibility
  • Culture
• Clearly defines children’s rights that may have gone overlooked in previous human rights conventions. Children are included in general human rights documents, but children have special needs as well.
• Ensures child protection & government action to protect children. This ranges from refugees and family reunification to child abuse cases.
• Recognizes children as people who deserve full respect and support.
• Promotes community development by improving the lives of children & giving them a voice in their communities.
• US ratifying the CRC would offer an opportunity to model good human rights behavior that it holds other countries to.
• Standing by 193 global peers who have ratified and are working toward fulfilling it.

Against the CRC

• Giving children rights may take away from parent’s rights.
  • The CRC is too radical. Allowing children a voice in all matters affecting them could be taken as granting children the right to over-rule their parents in all decisions.
  • Child participation actually has a negative affect and promotes irresponsibility.
• Ratifying the CRC gives some of the United States’ authority over its own laws to the United Nations.
  • The US must submit reports on US law and treatment of American children to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
• The CRC will give too much power to the federal government over states and parents.
• Many people say that the US already offers excellent protection to its children, or that US laws already meet the requirements of the CRC.
• Many countries who have signed and ratified the CRC fail to meet its standards and have horrible human rights records. This is seen as the CRC having little actual effect on children’s rights.