CHILD AND SOCIETY

Author: Prince Foday

The road to economic growth and development cannot be achieved if the rights and obligations of the child are not ensured. The current plight of the global economy is the gap between the child and society. The rule of thumb is that both parties have to accept that ‘it is a give and take issue’. The child has to know that, as long as these stakeholders are providing him/her the expected recommended rights, this should be reciprocated with the expected recommended obligations.

The specific aspects of concern are society’s satisfaction of the rights of the child to basic needs, education, health care, tolerance and compensation for efforts. The rights mentioned matches in line with the overarching principles established by the United Nations. This Overarching principle stressed that "society should leave no child out, put children first, care for every child, fight HIV/AIDS, stop harming and exploiting children, protect children from war, protect the earth for children, fight poverty, invest in children and listen to the child." 

Society and Child Rights

Society should be aware of the fact that every child is their child, irrespective of colour, religion, sex, language, race, Political or other opinions, natural or social origin, property, birth or other states. The notions that every child is your child substantiates the need for society to collectively ensure the child rights to basic needs, education, health care, tolerance and compensation for efforts.

The right to basic needs is concerned with society’s satisfaction of physiology needs like food, shelter and clothing of the child. The absence of this will demoralise the child. The child will have behavioural deficiency and performance and this can further have spread-effect on health.

The right to health care relates to the need for society to ensure that the child is healthy. Sound health provides the nation with an assured future working population. The protection of the child is relevant in promoting future economic growth. Many children are dying due to a weak parental background, the fact that health care services are at unreasonable value and the presence of long queues as a result of inadequate health delivery system.  As Professor Jeffry Sachs argued that, `Disease ridden societies are much more prone to the social ills of state collapse, dislocated populations and internal violence (Source: the Courier, March- April 2002). Professor Sachs claim is the truth that economies have to accept and take immediate action by urging society to collectively intervene to remedy its occurrence.

The right of the child to education requires society to ensure that the child becomes equipped with the knowledge needed for future participation in economic activities. Finance should not be a constraint to the education of a child. The creation of a ‘loan scheme’ to fund the educational needs of those children with the weak parental background can salvage the financial constraint to education. The loan scheme can be successful if the appropriate background information is collected about the child. The parents have to be signatories to the agreement. The loan scheme needs to establish that the child starts paying when rendering services (adulthood). The principal amount coupled with an interest (the interest paid is the compensation for inflation) needs to be paid back with less pain. The international community should have to assist in the payment of this educational loan, as these children may in future work for them (the issue of global services).

The right to tolerance stress on the need for society to be receptive to the child. There is the need for society to listen to the child (as there can be a sense from their nonsense) and create the right bargaining environment.  Most children have developed an unfriendly attitude due to the unfriendly disposition of society (unfriendliness beget unfriendliness). It is the right step if parents could ask their children to prepare a list of school expenses and thereafter bargain over it until both parties reach a point of satisfaction (Participatory Democracy).

The right to compensation for the effort is society’s obligation to the child. The child is motivated when given value (financial or non-financial) for efforts. The child needs to be assured of a ready job on completion of his academic hurdles. The absence of this can inevitably frustrate the child’s effort. There will be an increase in social costs (civil unrest), where the child is not engaged after reaching the labour stage. A form of compensation should accompany a successful performance in his academic work. The Group for African Peace, on its establishment, ignited the idea of compensating efforts by creating a column in its Newsletter called the “THE VOICE OF A CHILD.” The column is meant to encourage the child to push their pen on issues affecting them and the environment in exchange for D100 (Hundred Dalasis). The interesting thing was that, when the charitable organisation approached them on the issue, the children asked them to raise the compensation to D200 (Two Hundred Dalasis) per article. The entity had to negotiate the issue with the children until an equilibrium value of D100 (Hundred Dalasis) per article was reached.

It is the Author's firm conviction that, if the rights of the child are not met, there will exist the dissatisfaction of the child’s obligation to society. The adoption of the recommendations that follow will avert a situation where we will be surprised to see our children pointing rifles at us (child rebels) or causing social disorder.

Parents

- To accept that the current incapability to satisfy the rights of the existing child is a      

   mistake and should be prepared for reformation.

- To assess their capability to satisfy these rights before deciding whether to have a child  

   or not.

- To provide all material facts about the child and be receptive to stakeholders having  

   interest in ensuring the rights of the child.

- To avoid influencing the child against other stakeholders and accept them as child 

   development partners.

Governments

- To provide state outlets that are meant to ensure the rights of existing children.

- To enforce legislation requiring parents to have potential children provided they are in readiness to satisfy the rights of the child.

- To be receptive to other stakeholders wanting to supplement its effort.

- To collect background information about the child, so as to identify children with a weak background for appropriate action.

Educational Institutions

- To collect background information about the children they are teaching,

   to investigate whether the rights of the child are satisfied. The performance of the child depends on the satisfaction of the rights of the child.

- The educational institute should establish a funding scheme to assist in the sponsorship of those children with a weak parental background.

- To ensure that children are encouraged to prepare a study plan. The child may be    

   advised, based on his timetable, to read Science (7pm-8pm), Social Science (8.30pm-9.30pm) and Mathematics (10pm-10.30pm). Mathematics should be studied everyday. The child should be encouraged to speak strictly English or French in school and should be provided with a topic to talk on in assemblies (wiping public fear). Reading of novels, magazines, newspapers and other educational material can assist in improving the English or French of the child. Materials that are immoral should be ignored (oral, written and visual materials). Only materials that are development-oriented should be of utmost concern to the child. The child should be encouraged to create a filing system for subjects offered. Each subject should have its own file. Textbooks, past questions done and other relevant materials should be kept in the subject file for reference and quick access.

-  The child needs to be associated with groups or clubs in their institution. This will 

    increase their level of interaction and future participation to national development.

    The existence of Business Club in Schools with the purpose of developing a child

    entrepreneurship and increasing private sector participation is the right step.

-   To identify the talents of the child and ensure the promotion of those talents, as this

    will increase future revenue base. A child may be talented in music (like Alhajie Singhateh who was a student in Gambia Senior Secondary School and a renowned musician at a national level).

Other stakeholders

-The local community and the international community have to supplement government      

  efforts in ensuring the rights of the child.

- The collection of background data of the child can assist the local and international community in discharging the recommended rights.

- Job opportunities have to be created by the local community and international community to employ parents in order to empower them to satisfy the rights of our children.

- To avoid influencing the child against the government. To see the government as a partner in the development of the child.

- To supplement government effort in ensuring that the child is assured of a job upon completion of his or her studies. If these children are not absorbed, their negative behaviour can create instability for your existence.

Child and Obligations to Society

The obligations of a child to society can urge the child to maintain a healthy relationship with society. Keeping to the recommended expected obligations will inevitably satisfy society and their happiness will surely have a ripple effect on your success in this quadratic world.

Parents

- To ensure sustainable respect for their parents.

- The child needs to live to the expectation of their parents. Your success in whatever   

   undertaking (academic or non-academic) is their concern, so, there is a need to go for   

   success rather than failure.

-  To reveal to them whatever abnormal situation you are experiencing. 

-  To be subtle in presenting facts on sensitive issues to parents and be

    compromising.    

Government

- To ensure those grievances against the government are channelled through the Human Rights organisations and other arbitrating organisations for mediation rather than taken strike action. Strike action can lose lives (existing and potential working population) and increase government expenditure or reverse the economy backward.

- To avoid being influenced by external factors against the government. Have a mind of their own and identifying what is good and bad. 

 -  The child should consider government as one of those that care for his/her welfare and  not an enemy. After God is the government, hence, the government needs to be respected. The child is required to obey the law of the land.

- To accept as a form of punishment, to be kept in a reformation camp by the government until your behaviour proves satisfactory.  

Educational Institutions

- The child is expected to obey the rules and regulations of their educational institution. Breaking these rules and regulations will make the child lose his/her academic blessing. The disobedience of authorities of educational institutes will darken the future of the child.

- The staff of educational institutions should be respected. The staff of a child’s educational institution can provide their best when respected and efforts appreciated. .

- The child needs to reveal difficulties (academic or non-academic) they are facing. You are required not to hide anything from them. Children that are open will impress educational institution.

- To be in good terms with your colleagues. Your colleagues should be regarded as an institutional relationship, apart from biological affiliation. There is a need to share materials, other items and riches with them, particularly those with a weak parental background.

- To be proud of your institution and be competitive, so as to boost the image of your institution. To do all assignments on time and work hard for success in the subjects you are offering.

- To listen attentively in class and make sure explanations on subjects are fully digested. Writing notes are necessary but not sufficient. What is necessary and sufficient is when the child listen to understand the content of the explanation coupled with the need to copy notes.

- To prepare a plan of activity for academic and non-academic work. There should be a study plan, filing of the subject plan, financial plan and social activities plan.

- To be committed to the societies and clubs in your institution, for which, you are a

       member. There is a need to provide support even after completion of school.

Other stakeholders

- To appreciate the efforts and concerns of the local and international community in 

      ensuring the rights of the child and their contribution to national development.

     

- The child needs to compliment the assistance of society with sound

       academic performance and respect for their contributions. They are assisting

       because you are their child.

- To avert negative behaviour (harsh strike action) that will create setback or frustrate  

      their contributions.

- To provide all relevant facts about your background with "Utmost Good Faith".

- To associate with development institutions, for which, the child forms the target.

CONCLUSION

It is my fervent conviction that if stakeholders ensure the recommended rights of the child and the child adheres to recommended obligations, then, the gap between the child and society is sure to close. Most children were inspired to join the rebel movement in Sierra Leone and other parts of the world due to the glaring fact that these recommended rights were not fully or nearly satisfied. Most of the children had no alternative but to have the so-called liberation riffle, which they felt, will provide themwith the satisfaction of most of these rights. Most children became bloodthirsty by shooting at their parents and other stakeholders with the intent of forcing the satisfaction of most of these rights. The satisfaction of the expected recommended rights can create a stable environment for society. The global economy is currently experiencing socio-economic malaise because most of these rights are ignored. There is an increase in the level of street children because the satisfaction of the rights of the child is at its lowest ebb. The gap between the child and society will continue to widen if the suggested rights and obligations are not met.

(Further Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_the_Rights_of_the_Child)

 AUTHOR:

PRINCE FODAY, HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTER