The Children's Bill of Emotional Rights: A Guide to the Needs of Children

by Eileen Johnson

There are approximately 7 billion people in the world, and 2 billion of them are children. Children are the last unheard minority, a group whose voice is seldom listened to, and whose rights are seldom acknowledged. Children are dependent on adults for their survival and wellbeing, and as such are subservient beings. Though the UN recently issued a Charter of the Rights of the Child, an important aspect was neglected—the emotional rights of the child. Children all over the world are routinely bullied, dismissed, and treated as inferior beings. Though a child can survive hunger, cold, and physical trauma, emotional damage in childhood can cause problems that last a lifetime. These problems can have huge repercussions for society when children become teenagers and young adults, from bullying to suicide to mass murder.

In every society, individuals are entitled to their human rights. This book outlines the child's emotional rights. The book explains why it is important to respect a child's rights, and how it is possible for parents and teachers to make positive changes in the ways they respond to children. Many adults struggle with preconceived notions on how to discipline and control children. Other adults lack the necessary information on how a child thinks or why a child cannot respond in ways expected of him. And all adults struggle with anger and frustration when dealing with emotional expressions they do not understand. This book helps adults to understand why controlling and manipulating children is not the way to create a healthy community. The book provides insights into a child's mind, gives examples of compassionate and patient responses, and guides parents and teachers towards a greater respect for the rights of the child.

252 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson skillfully lays out the evidence and argument that all children have a right to:
- be listened to
- the truth
- develop as individuals
- calm, secure and loving boundaries
- play
- be protected from bullying
- forgiveness and empathy
- approval and acceptance
- express their feelings
- guidance

What makes this book particularly fascinating is that Johnson manages to present these arguments without sentimentality, but rather a vigourous consideration of the research. What makes this book particularly sad is that so many societies still don't take these rights seriously or provide anywhere near the support needed by families and schools to provide these conditions.