The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-09-06, Page 21BY
DEBBIE BARZ
I think that most of all a child needs security.
A child needs to know that he is leved and
respected.
If a child loses one or both of his parents when
he is young, he may become an angry and
scared child. He might be afraid that he has lost
the security in his family.
All children have the need for security. Many
times the loss of parents is sudden and the loss
'of security cannot be helped., The child who has
his parents at home shou&be guaranteed the
right to security.
I feel fortunate that I have that security from
my parents who love me, care for me and are
there when I need them.
Children also need to be respected. They need
to know that they are valued too. We want to be
noticed and listened to. Our opinions should be
taken into consideration • too.
Parents should be concerned enough toleach
,us how to live a good life.
During 1979, the International Year of the
Child, parents should take into consideration
our thoughts.
Robertson Memorial
BY
CINDY HAYWARD
A child is a human being and has feelings. He
needs to be loved, to feel wanted and cared for.
If his parents won't do it, who will? A child
feels anger, fear, remorse and joy. He needs to
be comforted when upset. Children should not
be exposed to racism and prejudice but should
be taught that everyone is equal.
A .child must be brought up in peace and
friendship before he can become a peaceful
member ora violent world.
A child needs help, understanding and en-
couragement before he can understand his
purpose in life, and be able to fulfill it. Children
progress at their own rates. Adults should
realize this and makeellowances for it.
A child has the right to special care when he
needs it. Children need to express their feelings
and someone kind and understanding to ex:
press them to.
Abuse takes many forms and children should
be protected against all of them. They shouldn't
be neglected physically or mentally.
A child needs freedom to explore, to think, to
imagine, to wonder. He needs knowledge of the
world around him. -
To be completely happy, a child needs these
things and more and we are the ones who must
provide them for the child's future as one of us.
Robertson Memorial
GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 1679 -.—PAGE 3A
BY JUDY CARMICHAEL whether they want to join a group or on their
BROOKSIDE career whether it is a doctor, farmer,factory
Yes, I believe children should have rights. worker or teacher.
When I say rights, I do not mean for them to be I think different communities should have an
able to drive a car, drink alcohol or to roam the organization that would help the children who
streets 'til all hours of the night. A child's rights are unable to express their emotional feelings to
have to be considered by his or her individual their parents.
progress towards maturity not by his or her age. This world of -etas is not very small and the
The parents should give their children a population of children is not very small either.
certain amount of privileges and responsibilities When God made this world, he wanted people to
that would prepare them for a more full life in live in unison.
which they are able to cope with difficulties and So whether you are rich, poor or have an
situations that they might encounter in this average yearly income coming into your home,
unsthe children should all have the same rights
Some childrenexpected ay sometimes ours. disturbed with when they are'ready to have them.
this frightening society which is full of unex- So next time you tell your son he has to be a
petted occurrences a parent should be con- lawyer and he wants to farm let him choose his
siderate and help them through any awkward career because he has to live with his career, not
situations they might run upon. you.
I think children should have the right to decide Stop and think before you react!
' BY MARGARET McWHINNEY
BROOKSIDE GRADE 6
Regardless of sex, color.or religion every child
of every country has a right to affection from
friends and love from their families.
Theyhave a right to be brought up withother
children and have friends to play with. Parents
should give them time to do this and not make
work all the time. (God did not make children for
that).
Children have the right to proper nutrition so
when they grow up they will be strong and
healthy and will not die at young ages because of
sickness.
All handicapped children have the right to
special care, sothey can enjoy life like everydne
else.
We children also have the right to grow up in a
world of peace, so when our generation has
grown-up we will not want wars.
The most important thing is to have a name,
belong to someone, love and be loved. So many
parents have children nowadays and do not love
them so they put- them up for adoption andthe
people that love children adopt them.
The idea of parents getting a divorce does not
influence me. I do not see why they can't work
together and raise a happy family.
If parents get a divorce it will ruin their,
children's lives not to say their own. The
children, though, will probably grow up to
respect others, because they will remember how
they felt when their parents got a divorce.
All parents should take the time to help their
children learn their school lessons and get them
through school. They should watch TV•with them
and teach them not to like the violent shows.
Parents should also take their children to
different places to get them acquainted with
other people.
1979 is the year of the child and I hope every
child has the rights I have. I'm not saying that
parents don't have any power over their children
or anything but take ,my advice and let them
choose what they think is best for themselves.
BY LAURIE CARTER
BROOKSIDE GRADE 7
Children are being ignored more and more
these days and I think that, all children should
have rights just like other people.. Some children ,
don't receive the love and care that they need.
When young, they need 6pportunities and lots
of attention. If any child is handicapped they
need more attention, love and special care. They
and all other children should have rights too.
If you are someone who has someone to lookup
to you, and they rely on you to listen to them,
then listen! If you help them solve their
problems every time they come to you they will
feel warm inside and know you are a true friend.
It's the, same as babysitting. When you're
angry and uptight yqu could torment a small .
baby or child and not really mean to do what you -
do. Then you feel very badly about it and try to
explain to. the child you're sorry but they don't
BY KIM VARTY
Yes, it is the year of the child, to ,some. To
others, still yearning for love and un-
derstanding, it is just another, year.
Their feelings are still bottled up within
themselves. Some of these children, either
influenced by their peers, or in desperation
because of parents who neglect them, turn to
drugs.
Parents who abuse their children physically
and mentally are, in my opinion, unworthy of
tearing children and should be prosecuted.
Some parents, "hurt" their children un-
consciously in their effort to protect them. '
I believe independence, is every bitwas im-
portant as "please" and "thank -you". A
parent's trust in their child, is very important
to the child.
The local enviroment can portray a major
factor in the life, of a child. Activities. such as
summer programs, should be available in
every community. These activities can help
keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.
A good neighbourhood is the backbone to
every child's rearing. Parks, playgrounds and
other, public property should always be kept
neat and clean, so the children learn to'respect
them, at an early age., ,
The citizens of the community the child lives
in can contribute a great deal to the child's
growing up. Nobody likes a neighbour who calls
.you childish names and won't give you your
baseball back.
These people are just repeating what hap-
pened to them as a child. Adultsuse the saying,
"when I was your age..." What they forget is
that times have changed and children have
changed in some respects too.
Today's child, just as the children before us
and the children of the future, need or needed
love. Love is a feeling that can be expressed to
a child in many ways. But most children prefer,
just to have parents who love them everyday,
and not just when they're sober.
Remember the children of today are the
parents and'leaders of tomorrow.
Robertson Memorial Public School
BY
JIM KELLER
Being a child myself, I know what it is like,
and can relate to other children in a special •
way. '
We children have needs, just like senior
citizens do. We need warmth, love, respect and„
understanding, as well as material things.
We don't fully know, the problems with
natural gas, coal, petroleum, etc. Therefore,
we can't know about the wasting,of gas in cars,
the overuse of resources to heat homes, and the
"jacked -up" petroleum prices.
We just know that it our parents don't stop
wasting fuel, there won't be any left for us. This
• is proven on the television commercial which
says "We children have the right to the same
kind of life they did."
We don't understand about the killing,
starving and suffering going on in our world'.
We don't know of the murdering of. innocent
people, the wars -that kill thousands, the hatred
that might one day destroy the only world we
know.
Our parents try to keep the reality from us,
but we're going to find out some time. If the
authorities of the countries of the world could •.
find a way to curb the constant crimes being '
committed, I'm sure they would use it, But until
then,,who knows?
All we children know of now, is that life is
beautiful' because ow parents shower us with
•love and understanding as well as material
things.
w But what's going to happen when they're
'gone? We're going to'find out and when we do
we're not going to be too happy.
So give us kids a chance to enjoy our lives,
that's all we ask!
Robertson Memorial
BY TODD RiTTINGER
Picture a pattered child of a loveless home -a
home where the parents take out their
frustrations and distress . on the child,
damaging him, not only physically, but men-
tally and emotionally too.
Now, picture a child in a developing country,
in a family where the lather couldn't be
bothered with the burden of raising a poor
family and he has left home. It is a large half
starved family. .
What's the -connection? They're both
children, both human beings, both with needs
and problems, both wanting love and care.
This. world needs its children -children taught
to be responsible, responsible enough to run it
in the next generation, children brought .up
properly and taught wisely.
It's not only the well-off children who need
care, but also children in poor countries. They
have as much potential to become leaders as
we do.
It's the government's job to see that they get •
proper education, to train them in certain
skills, thus enabling them to set up a trade.
It's the parent's job to. teach us the "ways of
the world", and it's other kids job ro accept
other children as children and not something
different. We're all the same, and we all need
attention, and shouldn't he ignored.
Children should he treated as humans and not
otherwise. Give us a chance! Let us prove
ourselves. .e'member we all make mistakes.
Robertson Memorial Public School
4
understand sometimes and think you're still
angry with them.
That's why you need to be kind and gentle with
children so theywill be good when they are older
and know what your help did for them.
Children are sometimes uptight, stubborn,
rude, or very mean. In this case you have to have
patience And work it out for them slowly. It takes
time but that's life.
' . After you know how they see certain points of
views, then try to show them the right way even
if it takes a little bribery with candy of some kind
or something special. Children get lonely
sometimes and just don't know what to do or who
to turn to.
So if you 'can help, then help! It's a beginning to
the wondering key that unlocks understandings
from the hidden bars of their hearts.
Life is to enjoy, and enjoyment is life.
BY CHRIS STARKEY
Back in 1959, the United Nations General'
Assembly adopted the "Declaration of Rights
of the Child." 1979, the 20th anniversary of this
declaration, has been appointed as the
`International Year of the Child". .
Most .people feel that the emphasis of the
rights of 'the child should be practised in
Canada. There is still a .fair percentage of
children in. Canada who lack medical attention,
proper nourishment and shelter and most of all,°
parental guidance.
As for this area, most children are content
with what they have. There is the odd child
abuse case, etc., but on the whole, things are`
under control as they are.
Many countries are not quite as well off as
BY ROXANNE KERNIGHAN
Thumbs down! We don't want to he
discriminated.
In my opinion child abuse is the most brutal
,type of unjust punishment. Child abuse actually
is a result from the parent's unstable, Insecure
,background.
Do these parents realize what they're doing?
This cruel treatment generally causes the child
to feel unloyed and violent inside. Therefore
this child will probably end up not un-
derstanding or loving their children.
These insecure parents could find lots of
assistance from advisors such as clergymen or
physciatrists.
I certainly hope more care is taken in the
future concerning laws and judgement of what
should and can be done about child abuse.
,All children should come through life ,with a
Canada ho•wever.. My proposed solution would
be to have each counts y in the United Nations
make a yearly contribution to an. organization
such as CARE.,,
This money in turn would go to'help children
in underdeveloped countries go to school, get
proper • medic,,a1 and dental service, train
themselves to work in the towns to provide
some family income and take part in organized
classes that would teach them how to sew, cook,
farm, etc.
All in .all, I am wishing that adults will not
take us for granted like .one of their belongings,
but to treat us like human beings who
sometimes need a 'helping nand. Alter all,
weren't they once kids too?
Colborne Central
proper education. This will mean what jobs 'we
can employ ourselves at in the future.
None of us appreciate being considered as
devilish, sticky-fingered beasts who are con--
tin.ually being turned out of antique shops,'
furniture stores etc.
Many. ritsy restaurants don't want us_ eating
in them because we're noisy brats. It really
makes .us seem like we're not good enough for
those stylish restaurants.
More movies should be created for family
viewing. Most of the "movies of th4.0 year" are
restricted to ages eighteen and over.
Of course the saying "children should be seen
and not heard" is senseless. Our• opinions
should be discussed instead of ignored, after all- •-
we're the controllers of tomorrow. We aren't
demanding too much we're just trying to say
"KIDS•ARE PEOPLETOO"!
Colborne Central Public School
BY LORI DYKSTRA
What is this world coming to when it says that
children have rights too?
I, one of many million children, think that
this world is coming to a very violent end
if the children of today aren't taught and
told what to expect in the very near future.
1, one person in a Grade 8 class, am very
concerned about what our world is coming to,
and I am going to try'to voice my opinions for.
the. other children of the world. The children of
today are the adults and parents of tomorrow.
.How can we be expected to•have knowledge
and know what is right if we are not taught?
The fourth right in the Rights of the child states
that.all children should have the right to a free
education and, to full opportunity and
recreation. •
The Titanic sunk, but not before most
children and women were off. Lots of families
lost husbands and fathers but most still had all
of their children.
The seventh right states that children have
the right to be among the first to receive relief
in times of disaster.
A child ran out of her parents' house all
Neaten, bruised and bleeding. She ran to a
foster home not very far away. This was one
,more incident added to five others which had
preceded upon, the child. The parents' were.
charged with "child abuse" and were'ordered
to see a psyclkiatrist.
This child should have had the right to af-
fection, love, and understanding, but she had
been abused this right. The third right, the right'
to protection against all forms of neglect,
cruelty and exploitations could also be applied
to this child's problem.
There are many people that are handicapped.
A ,
lat;y aUU.0 I)I,o,t", to
help them cope with their handicap.
They have had the right to adequate nutrition
and'medical care (second right) and also the
right., to special caro, if handicapped (sixth
right), but other less fortunate children haven't
had the use of these rights.
I am also very concerned that some people in
the world are still unaware of the fact that,
many children are still without these rights.
I am a teenager, but I am still classified as a
child. 1 for one, do not mind being classified as
a child in certain situations but in others, I feel
very discriminated against and very offended.
I get very angry when I go to a movie and I
have to pay very near an adult price..
My friend and I once went into a store and we
were watched so closely by a security guard
that we felt like going up to him so he could
check us and he proven wrong that we hadn't
shoplifted a thing.
I realize that we »'ere watched for our own
good; and that a few people usually ruin it for
others but, will we always he watched and he
given a feeling of guilt when we Shop?
There is a store, one store of many in a
franchise, in Goderich, that has a sign in the
window reading: "No more than 3 teenagers in
the store at a time!"
This store owner is giving teenagers a right to
feel guilt, but, at the same time he: is
discriminating some that do not wish to be
discriminated against.
Aware, care, and share, are three chosen
words that the National committee are using
for their representation of high hopes for 79. '
i hope fhat people will think about, and use
these words, and they will remember, "Kids
Have Rights Too!"
Colborne Central Public School