Page 60 - Social Studies 4

Why should children have rights?
Children are tender and small; they are dependent on their elders. The
future of every child depends on the care, facilities and opportunities she/
he gets during his/her childhood. If children do not get what they need,
they cannot grow up to become worthy citizens of the country. In order
to grow up properly, some basic needs are to be fulfilled. These have to

be provided by the elders to all the children. Sometimes, elders ignore
these needs of the children. Hence, children should fulfill these needs, as
their rights.

Some rights of children
All children have the following rights:
- Right to food

- Right to clothing
- Right to shelter
- Right to education

- Right to health facilities
- Right to rest
- Right against torture
- Right to play/recreation

- Right to speak
- Right against labour a child forced to clean the floor:
a violation of child right
- Right to a country and identity

- Right to citizenship
These are some of the rights. There are other rights also which children

have. All these rights are called Child Rights.
Do all children have rights?

Yes! All children have rights. It does not matter whether a child is rich or
poor, has parents or is an orphan, is strong or weak, is ill or healthy-all
children have these rights and can demand these to be fulfilled.

Are all children enjoying these rights?
Many children are lucky as they are enjoying these rights. They are
getting good food, have a house to stay, wear clean clothes and get good

56 Megha's Integrated Social Studies - 4