Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities of the

Youth

The birth of the convention on the rights

of the child• In December 1989, the

convention on the rights of the child was adopted by the United Nations

Rights and duties

• Rights –duty or obligation • Enjoyment of rights goes hand in

hand with assuming responsibility

The role of the family

• The family, not the State has the primary responsibility for making sure that children are able to enjoy their rights

Who is a child?

• Every person from conception until the age of 18

• The question was so controversial until the final draft was agreed upon in 1989

Who is a child?

• The solution was to leave to each country the right to decide

In the Philippines

• A person is considered a child until he or she reaches the age of majority which is 18

In the Philippines• Article 2, Sec. 12 of the

Constitution says that the “State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall strengthen and protect the family as a basic autonomous social institution”

In the Philippines

• Natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth…”

The right to life, survival and development

• Access of all children to the basic services that support the life, such as medical care, and enough food

The right to have one’s views taken into account

• Right to form an opinion which will affect him or her personally

• Must be given a chance to express his/her views

Freedom of expression and access to information

• Children have the right to “seek and receive” information and ideas

Freedom of religion

• Children have freedom of “thought, conscience and religion”

Freedom of association and assembly

• Freedom to join associations, clubs and organizations or set up new ones

• The right to organize or take part in public meetings or demonstrations

The right to privacy

• The right of children not to have their name or photo published in newspapers or shown on television

Protection against abuse

• Government must protect children against neglect and abuse by parents or other caretakers

The right to health care

• Right to a balanced diet, • Proper medical attention• Basic physical requirements of

a healthy and vigorous life

The right to a decent standard of living

• Parents have a duty to provide children with food, shelter, clothing, medical attention and education as far as they can

The right to an education

• The constitution provides for compulsory primary education

• Free tuition for both primary and secondary public school education

The right to play

• The State has the duty to promote sports and physical education

• All schools must have a sports program

Child labor• Children under 15 years of age

are not allowed to work under Philippine law

• Unless they work for their parents

• The work does not interfere with their education

Sexual exploitation and abuse

• The child and youth welfare code established a procedure which allows children who are abused to be removed from their homes

Deprivation of liberty• A child under the age of 18 who

is convicted of a crime may receive a suspended sentence and be put in a home operated by the DSWD instead of prison, provided that it is his or her first conviction

Children and armed conflict

• Children are to be considered “zones of peace” which means that they should not be used for military purposes or attached to it

The right to rehabilitation

• Recovery from physical injuries• Recovery from psychological

trauma• Help in “ social reintegration”

Responsibilities of the youth

• Strive to lead an upright virtuous life in accordance with the tenets of law

• Love,respect and obey his parents • Develop his potentialities for

service particularly by undergoing a formal education

Responsibilities of the youth

• Respect the customs and traditions of our people

• Respect the memories of our heroes

• Respect the laws of our country and the principles and institutions of democracy

Responsibilities of the youth

• Participate actively in the promotion of the general welfare

• Help in the promotion of individual rights and the strengthening of freedom