Having children is one of the biggest decisions you can make in life. It’s a huge commitment and not something to be taken lightly, especially when considering the financial side of things. There are lots of hidden costs that many people don’t consider, such as childcare, education, and medical bills. However, there are also many perks to having children that can help you financially. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of having kids to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

The Rights of the Child

Every child is born with an inalienable right to a healthy start, an adequate standard of living, quality education, and a safe childhood. But millions of children are denied these essential opportunities, often because of who they are or where they come from – because they are girls, because they are poor, because they speak a different language, because they are disabled, or because they are of a minority. All children deserve the same rights, and they should be protected in law, by government agencies and by civil society organisations – no matter who their parents or their families are, what their religion is, how rich or poor they are, or what they believe.

There is a mass of international treaty and ‘soft’ law, both general and children-specific, which recognises the distinct status of children as future adults and their particular vulnerability. They should be the object of special treatment, generally and in specific situations, owing to their heightened dependence on others and their lack of ability to protect themselves. This includes protection against discrimination on the grounds of age, and against the abuse of children, whether that is in relation to harmful work or drugs, sexual exploitation, trafficking, corporal punishment, emotional or psychological abuse, harmful detention or war, to name just a few examples.

It is a fundamental right of every child to express their opinions freely on issues that affect them. This can be done by talking, drawing or writing and should not harm other people’s rights. It is the duty of parents to guide their children in this area so that they can develop their full potential as active citizens and contribute positively to society.

Children should be able to obtain information from many sources, including the Internet, television, radio and books. They should be able to receive this information in their mother tongue and with the help of qualified interpreters where necessary. They should be able to get their documents, such as birth certificates and school records, from official sources in ways that are easy for them to understand.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 195 countries. We expose violations and fight back through relentless strategic advocacy and legal action to keep kids safe and healthy. Our work is not done until every child has all their rights. Find out more about how you can support us.