Answer:
Children have the same rights as adults. As a vulnerable group, children have particular rights that recognize their <u>special need for protection</u> and also that help them <u>develop their full potential.</u> Children’s rights are defined in a wide spectrum of economic, civil, political and social rights. These rights have been labeled as the right to protection and right to empowerment. One right that children have is the:
<u>Right to provision</u>: Children have a right to be provided with a good standard of living, education and services, health care and a right to play. These include access to schooling, a balanced diet and a warm bed to sleep in. They also have a right to be <u>protected from neglect, abuse, discrimination and exploitation</u>. The views of the child are given weight according to the maturity and age of the child. A child can participate in the sense of taking part or being present or participate in the sense of knowing that one’s actions are taken note of and may be acted upon. The extent to children’s participation will vary between and within societies. Protection rights protect the children against exploitation and abuse for the best interest of the child while in participatory rights; children take part in decisions concerning their lives and a right to freedom of conscious and to hold an opinion. Adults and their children’s views may not always <u>coincide</u>. Many children’s wishes and views are <u>ignored</u> by the adults for the "best" interest of the child. Every child is entitled to have a name and a nationality.The child’s name, birth date and parents’ names are recorded, when a child is given a name at birth, he or she is not given an opportunity to choose a name for himself or herself. The parents do this for the best <u>interests</u> of the child.The child may however, decide to change its name upon reaching the age of maturity <u>(18)</u>. In this case the child is denied a right to participate in choosing its name at first but at later stages of <u>development</u>; the same child can participate in the same by changing to its desired name. A child is to be protected from all forms of punishment or discrimination <u>regardless of their age, race, sex, religion, status, and/or expressed opinions, activities and beliefs of the family members</u>. As much as a child has a right to religion, to express their opinion, or equality regardless of their age, these are sometimes restricted by their parents or legal guardians. For instance, a child is not at liberty to join a religion cult without the parents’ <u>interference</u> (Consent). It is not because the child is denied its freedom to worship but it’s for the best interest of the child, and also the safety of the child