Rights for children

Article Abstract:

A review of children's rights legislation since the 1960's reveals a trend towards more autonomous standing for minors. In 1967 the Supreme Court ruled that children are entitled to legal representation, notice of the charges against them and other rights given to adults in judicial hearings. Two years later they declared that students are persons under the Constitution, and could not be subjected to certain school policies. The autonomy of children was threatened in a 1971 case when the court said children were not entitled to jury trials. Legislation since has guaranteed all children's rights to public education, and reform of adoption and child welfare responsibility.

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Hillary Rodham Clinton's views ... excerpts from her articles on children's rights

Article Abstract:

Hillary Clinton has taken a liberal approach to children's rights since she first addressed the issue in 1973. She believes children should not be seen as minorities, but presumed competent to exercise rights unless it is proven they are incapable of doing so. This includes procedural rights such as legal counsel that separates the the child's interests from the parent's. She views the 'best interest of the child' standard as too vague, and wants specific guidelines to determine the need for legal intervention. Intervention into a child's family life should be restricted to cases that have long-term affects, such as abortion and schooling.

Clinton, Hillary Rodham

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Era of retrenchment

Article Abstract:

The conservative Supreme Court of the 1970s and 1980s tended to focus on parental rights at the expense of children's rights. An example is the 1983 case that upheld a law requiring minors to obtain parental consent before receiving abortions. The Court of this era reflected the belief that children were not autonomous, but derived rights from their position in a family; and that public officials were capable of making decisions for minors, including punishment if it is in the child's best interest.

United States. Supreme Court

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