Chapter 5. The Family-Supportive Nature Of The U.N. Convention On The Rights Of The Child

Some Americans have raised concerns that ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) would pose a threat to the authority of parents and would undermine family values. This concern reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the structure and purposes of the CRC and human rights charters in general. This chapter looks at the document as a whole and explains how it operates to strengthen rather than undercut the rights of parents. First, it is important to understand that the CRC is not a charter of children's rights to be free of parental authority and control. Second, it is important to understand that the CRC recognizes parents' central role as the guardians of their children's rights. Third, parents should understand that the CRC encourages government to take positive steps in support of children and families. Finally, the chapter discusses the family-supportive features of the CRC.Keywords: CRC; family values; human rights charters; parental authority; rights of parents