The needs discourse is about understanding what children's "best interests" are and meeting their needs. We agree to this statement but also believe that the children should get a point of view on what they like and what they think is best for them. Yes we as adults have a responsibility to ensure children's needs are met but shouldn't we get an understanding from the children of what their needs are?
Children's rights are to view them as citizens who have rights as citizens in our society. According to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) the main forms of rights for children are often referred to as the three P's.
1. Provision of appropriate support and services for their healthy development,
2. Protection from exploitation and abuse,
3. Participation in decisions made about their upbringing and care.
Children have the rights to express themselves through art. The rights of children may often be challenged by parents/adults for example parents may believe that their child's education is more important than art and that art does not have a place in their learning.
The quality of life discourse is an alternative view from the needs and rights discourses. This discourse acknowledges these views but also takes into account concerns, values, resources and limits of families and communities where children are cared for and raised. An important element to this discourse is including the views of children who's well being is of most value. This is why we have included points of view of both adults and children. It acknowledges that we see children as having a voice and opinion about how their quality of life should be.
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