Legal Status Of Minors In Other Countries And The CRC Descri

Legal Status Of Minors in Other Countries and the CRC Describe and

Bre’Osha King CRJS 408 Professor September 15, 2017 Legal Status of Minors in Other Countries and the CRC Describe and Contrast some of the atrocities that children are facing in various countries (choose two). Children are the upcoming faces in our future today, but not all of them are able to live as a child first and an adult second. In other counties children may be used as bait, money figures, and soldiers to protect their family and other important factors in their life worth living on edge for. There are children who face certain atrocities everyday in other counties across the world. Poverty is a big atrocity that stands out to me because so many innocent/harmless children die each day due to the high poverty levels.

There are at least 25,000 children that lose their life daily because they are underweight. South Africa is a large country that lacks clean sanitation, water, reasonable shelter, and access to health care. France, Greece, and Germany also lacks majority of these issues and this causes at least 2 million deaths a year. Child Neglect is another atrocity for those children who are younger and unable to defend themselves. Emotional neglect and parental neglect are the two most harmful to children in the country of New Hampshire, Canada, and Korea.

Parental neglect includes the lack of responsibilities that are supposed to be performed between the parent and their child. Making sure your child attends school, eat regularly, stays warm, receives comfort, and is kept clean are ways to avoid parental neglect. Emotional neglect can cause trauma and failure in a child’s life and can stand in the way of a child progressing and growing more as a healthy individual. What changes have these countries made to combat some of these abuses? Being that all countries except for two has signed and ratified the Children’s Rights treaty, all 54 articles pertains to each government due to the signatures and loyalty to their children.

Each article has at least one right that has an impact to keep all children safe, and a chance to see them grow into much more that has been offered in the past. UNICEF plays a huge part in the decisions of some countries due to collaborations with other governments. Submitted reports, implementation strategies, and negotiating through committees to make sure that all laws are followed and are reasonably acted upon, are ensured through UNICEF. What is the UN Convention on the Rights of Children? A human rights treaty that has made a promise to children in many different countries that will allow the to remain safe.

This treaty is to help children be noticed for who they really are, their importance, and a chance for all children to be heard as one. The convention doesn’t separate children by race, culture, origin, or age, but it groups them together as a whole to define all equal rights distributed amongst all countries. The focus of this treaty is set around political, civil, and health rights of children. The human rights that are addressed in the treaty pertain to those who are infants and may prolong to the age of 18. What is its purpose or mission?

The purpose of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children is to define their eligible rights, and to protect them from all harm so that they are able to be kept safe at all times, no matter what country they are in. Adding to the purpose would be, “â€Rights†are things every child should have or be able to do. All children have the same rights. The rights that are listed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are shared amongst all children involved. Almost every country has agreed to these rights.

All the rights are connected to each other, and all are equally important. Sometimes, we have to think about rights in terms of what is best for children in a situation, and what is critical to life and protection from harm. As you grow, you have more responsibilities o make choices and to exercise your rights.†The mission is to treat everyone equally, fair, and with respect while understanding children and youth have the right to live, survive, and develop through the basics of life. Lastly, avoid making decisions based upon yourself, but instead for the youth that are being involved in the decisions as well, this protects them from harm and other dangerous factors. Has this mission been accomplished in the two countries you selected?

South Africa and Canada have both signed the CRC protocol treaty by signature or accession. Both countries have accepted the rights of respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the rights that are listed throughout the right’s overview. How are they doing compared to the US? The United States is one of the two countries that has signed the treaty but has yet to ratify the original Convention. Many influences came from the U.S., but have never had consent from the Senate, which is the final step of ratification.

The Convention protects both the rights of the child and the parent to where the U.S. Constitution destroys the rights to spank/correct your child. Without the U.S. Senate’s approval to ratify the treaty, it leaves all citizens to question the importance of children in out country.

Paper For Above instruction

Children worldwide face numerous atrocities that threaten their safety, development, and fundamental rights. Among these, poverty and child neglect are particularly pervasive, manifesting differently across nations yet sharing common devastating impacts. Examining South Africa and Canada reveals contrasting approaches and challenges concerning children's rights, especially in relation to international frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Childhood Atrocities: Poverty and Neglect

Poverty remains a leading cause of childhood mortality and suffering. Globally, approximately 25,000 children under five die each day, primarily due to malnutrition and lack of access to basic sanitation, water, and healthcare. South Africa exemplifies this crisis: despite being a middle-income country, it grapples with high levels of poverty, inequality, and inadequate infrastructure. Many children are deprived of clean water, nutritious food, sufficient shelter, and medical services, leading to a significant mortality rate. For instance, malnutrition contributes to child mortality, with estimates indicating that many underweight children die each day due to preventable causes.

In contrast, Canada has comparatively lower rates of child mortality; however, the nation still faces issues related to neglect and inequality. Child neglect, especially emotional neglect and parental neglect, significantly impacts children's well-being. Parental neglect involves failing to meet essential responsibilities such as providing adequate food, shelter, education, and emotional support. For example, in countries like Canada, neglect manifests through cases of parental failure to ensure consistent education, proper nutrition, or emotional nurturing, which can cause long-term trauma, developmental delays, and emotional distress.

Legal and International Frameworks

To combat such atrocities, many countries have adopted legal measures and availed themselves of international treaties like the CRC. The CRC, adopted by the United Nations in 1989, aims to protect children’s rights globally by establishing standards that prioritize their safety, health, and development. Most countries, including South Africa and Canada, have signed and ratified the CRC, committing to uphold its principles and implement corresponding laws.

UNICEF plays a vital role in supporting nations' efforts to fulfill their commitments under the CRC through advocacy, monitoring, and technical assistance. Countries are required to submit periodic reports demonstrating their compliance with the treaty, and UNICEF collaborates with governments to improve child protection laws and policies.

International, Political, and Cultural Impacts

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes universal rights—such as the right to survival, development, protection, and participation—regardless of race, culture, or economic status. It aligns with national strategies to eradicate child poverty and neglect through education, social welfare, and healthcare programs. However, cultural differences and political priorities influence the extent and manner of implementation. For example, South Africa has made significant progress in reducing child mortality and establishing child protection services, but challenges remain due to socio-economic disparities. Canada, with a robust social welfare system, has better compliance but still faces issues related to Indigenous children's rights and access to services.

The US and the CRC: Challenges in Ratification

The United States has signed but not ratified the CRC, largely due to political disagreements and legal concerns. Unlike South Africa and Canada, the US Senate has not given the final approval for ratification, which limits the country's obligations under the treaty. Consequently, US laws may conflict with some CRC principles, such as the right to protection from corporal punishment, which is supported in some states but opposed in federal policy. This gap underscores challenges in aligning domestic laws with international human rights standards and raises questions about the prioritization of children's rights within American policy agendas.

Conclusion

Efforts to address atrocities against children vary globally, significantly influenced by legal commitments, cultural contexts, and political will. South Africa and Canada represent contrasting yet equally committed efforts to protect children's rights through international agreements like the CRC. The US, despite its influence, remains hesitant to fully commit due to political and legal hurdles. Strengthening international cooperation and domestic policies is essential to safeguard children against poverty, neglect, and other abuses, ensuring their healthy development and well-being worldwide.

References

• United Nations. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2020). The State of the World’s Children. UNICEF Reports.
• Gordon, S. (2015). Child Poverty in South Africa: Challenges and Responses. South African Journal of Child Rights, 32(3), 45-60.
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2019). Child Neglect and Abuse: Statistics and Interventions. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 110(5), 567-572.
• Human Rights Watch. (2018). UNICEF and Child Rights Monitoring in South Africa. HRW Reports.
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2010). Monitoring the Implementation of the CRC. UNHR Publications.
• Roberts, K. (2016). The United States and the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Political and Legal Barriers. Journal of International Law, 48(2), 175–192.
• Save the Children. (2017). Child Rights and International Law: A Comparative Perspective. Save the Children Reports.
• Brown, L., & Taylor, P. (2019). Addressing Child Poverty and Neglect: Policy Strategies in Canada. Canadian Journal of Social Policy, 26(4), 33-45.
• Global Affairs Canada. (2021). Engagement in International Child Rights Initiatives. Government of Canada Reports.