Send the CRC to the Senate

       The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (United Nations, 1989) has been ratified by 193 State Parties (countries).  The only two who have not ratified the convention: the United States and Somolia.  Both of those have signed it, indicating the intent to ratify.  The United States signed the CRC in 1995 under President Clinton.  It has been stalled in the Bush administration (it has yet to be sent to the Senate for ratification), as George W has blatantly expressed his opposition to the Convention.   
      Opponents argue that the Convention would violate parental rights (as in they couldn't spank or home school), give children too much power (as in they could go get abortions without parental consent), and that it violated national sovereignty.  All of the arguments are legally unfounded and are simply expressions of fear.  In reality, the CRC protects children from abuse and seeks to empower the child to grow to the best of his or her ability.  It respects the parent and requires the parent to take responsibility for the child.  When that is not possible or is violated, the State must protect and care for the child (as in cases of abuse).  The State must also assist the parent when the parent is unable to provide necessities for the child (such as healthcare).  The CRC does not ban homeschooling, it only requires that the child's eduction promote his or her fullest potential.  The CRC does prohibit violence against children, as it well should.  It is high time we recognize that children are humans too and as such, deserve the same respect we demand for ourselves as adults. 

       The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (United Nations, 1989) has been ratified by 193 State Parties (countries).  The only two who have not ratified the convention: the United States and Somolia.  Both of those have signed it, indicating the intent to ratify.  The United States signed the CRC in 1995 under President Clinton.  It has been stalled in the Bush administration (it has yet to be sent to the Senate for ratification), as George W has blatantly expressed his opposition to the Convention.   
      Opponents argue that the Convention would violate parental rights (as in they couldn't spank or home school), give children too much power (as in they could go get abortions without parental consent), and that it violated national sovereignty.  All of the arguments are legally unfounded and are simply expressions of fear.  In reality, the CRC protects children from abuse and seeks to empower the child to grow to the best of his or her ability.  It respects the parent and requires the parent to take responsibility for the child.  When that is not possible or is violated, the State must protect and care for the child (as in cases of abuse).  The State must also assist the parent when the parent is unable to provide necessities for the child (such as healthcare).  The CRC does not ban homeschooling, it only requires that the child's eduction promote his or her fullest potential.  The CRC does prohibit violence against children, as it well should.  It is high time we recognize that children are humans too and as such, deserve the same respect we demand for ourselves as adults. 

Dear Mr. President:

We the undersigned firmly believe that the United States Senate should ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations, 1989).  Please give them the opportunity to do so by sending the Convention to them. 

Our children deserve to be treated with the same respect that we expect for ourselves.  The Convention does not violate parental rights, it respects parents.  The CRC does not violate state sovereignty.  The federal government has the sole right to enter into agreements with other nations and so the action needs to come from there.  Many states already abide by the CRC.  The states who do not need to be held to a higher standard.  All have to be at the standard of the CRC, but making progress toward that goal.  Ratification of the Convention would signify our intention of progression.

We have put you in charge of our country.  With that priviledge comes responsibilities: the responsiblity to our future generations to make sure they are protected as human beings, and the responsibilty to ensure our youth are given ample opportunity to grow into their fullest capacity, and the responibilty to represent the citizens of our country.

Please allow us to join the rest of the world in support our children.  We are a world leader; let us act like one.  Send the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Senate so that we may choose to ratify it.

Thank you Mr. President for you time, your attention, and your service.