What Is Right for Children?

The Competing Paradigms of Religion and Human Rights

Karen Worthington author Martha Albertson Fineman editor Karen Worthington editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:28th Jul '09

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

What Is Right for Children? cover

Combining feminist legal theory with international human rights concepts, this book examines the presence, participation and treatment of children in a variety of contexts. Specifically, through comparing legal developments in the US with legal developments in countries where the views that children are separate from their families and potentially in need of state protection are more widely accepted. The authors address the role of religion in shaping attitudes about parental rights in the US, with particular emphasis upon the fundamentalist belief in natural lines of familial authority. Such beliefs have provoked powerful resistance in the US to human rights approaches that view the child as an independent rights holder and the state as obligated to proved services and protections that are distinctly child-centred. Calling for a rebalancing of relationships within the US family, to become more consistent with emerging human rights norms, this collection contains both theoretical debates about and practical approaches to granting positive rights to children.

'Drawing together an impressive list of international contributors, What Is Right For Children? reshapes our thinking about the relationship between children, Human Rights and religion. Divided into three insightful sections encompassing topics such as juvenile justice, child protection, education, and parental rights, it will appeal to anyone interested in how cultural contexts shape debates about children, families, and governmental obligations. Passionate and timely, you’ll want to read every chapter.' Richard Collier, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK 'This unique collection enriches the dialogue around the US refusal to embrace the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Provocative chapters grapple with the legal and policy implications of differences between religious and human rights’ principles of personhood. What Is Right For Children? is an essential touchstone for all who care about children’s rights.' Nancy Dowd, University of Florida, USA

ISBN: 9780754674191

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 453g

462 pages