A survey of children's views on their rights

Abstract

Children's rights may be classified in terms of self‐determination or nurturance, depending on an advocate's concern with the liberation or protection of children. The purpose of this study was to poll children's views of selected self‐determination rights. Elementary school children (grades two through six) were presented with seven situations and asked if they thought they should have rights equal to adults. The majority of children opposed self‐determination, except in voting. Boys and older children were more in favor of self‐determination than girls and younger children. The results are discussed in terms of the balance between nurturance and self‐determination in adult‐child relations and appropriate areas for equal rights.