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Kids have rights
I wish that all parents were like gardeners tending to their plants. When I was little I longed
for attention, encouragement, calm loving words and physical contact, the gentle kind that
doesn’t hurt. I needed food, warmth, safety and sleep. Time to breathe, think, learn, play and
be me. Please notice me, listen to me, talk to me mom! Her hands feel rough. A mother is
someone you can run to when you’re scared, she’ll ask what’s wrong and hold you ‘til you’re
ready to leave. She’s patient and kind, other things can wait. You’re not supposed to run
from her and dad, hide in your room ‘til you fall asleep under the bed or behind the
clothes in the closet.A mother loves you no matter what. She’ll say “it’s not your fault what
happened, you’re just a kid and it’s never the kid’s fault” and she’ll protect you and keep you
safe when you’re too young to make the words. Mom and dad are always right. Your teacher
says kids have rights too but you don’t know what it means, you’re too young to understand, too
embarrassed to ask. A small plant needs water and light to grow. It takes nurturing, patience
and time. A gardener knows this and he also knows that a small plant is both fragile and
resilient. Sometimes it’s too small and insignificant to notice, easily stepped on and broken,
but it can grow where you least expect it and thrive in the worst conditions.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 19
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational
measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse,
neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in
the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the
child.
Article 34
States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual
abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national,
bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:
(a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;
(b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;
(c) The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.
Article 39
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery
and social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse;
torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed
conflicts. Such recovery and reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the
health, self-respect and dignity of the child.
© Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva,
Switzerland
Thursday May 26, 2005 (old journal entry)
Dear Mom, how did you feel when you held me in your arms, when you knew that it was a boy and I
was a few minutes old? Did your heart race, was there a smile on your face? Did you feel warm
and happy inside, did you hold me against your chest like I was the most beautiful thing in the
world? Did you look into my eyes and see yourself in them? Did you have any hopes and dreams for
me? Did you kiss me, talk to me in a soft voice, count my fingers and toes?
You told me you never wanted a son and I shouldn’t have been born. You’re a mistake and
you’re just like your dad. All men are evil, they’re born that way. Do you hate me so much
‘cause he made you have kids or ‘cause of what’s between my legs? Did you hate me from the
moment I was born, when I took my first steps or said my first word? What went through your
mind when you hit my face and broke my arm? Do you ever hurt inside? Do you miss me
sometimes?
© Charlie S, 17 May 2006
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