"Rights of the Child"

I've been hearing quite a bit about this lately. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a proposed bill, I guess I could call it, to establish the 'rights of the child'. What exactly are these 'rights'?

"It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child."

Now I want to know. If 'respect' for my views is one of the aims...and then they outlaw taking me to church (a 'harmful influence', y'know), then I decide that church is good for me...does that mean that they'll respect my views?

Probably not. I can almost guarantee they won't.

What also concerns me is this little...gem from their website:

"States parties to the Convention are obliged to develop and undertake all actions and policies in the light of the best interests of the child."

Uh-huh. And exactly who, pray tell, is going to decide what is in my 'best interests'? Uh...I'd rather not have some government employee deciding what my best interests are. Thank you, and goodbye.

You know what, here's the deal. This doesn't sound like something to establish my 'rights'. This sounds like something to take away the rights of my parents, and put them firmly in the hands of some impersonal government employee.

Let me give you a few more jewels to ponder:

"Children are neither the possessions of parents nor of the state, nor are they mere people-in-the-making; they have equal status as members of the human family."
Wow. I didn't know, y'know, that I was actually an adult. Does that mean I can drive?!

"Children's views are rarely heard and rarely considered in the political process."
Naw, really? I had no idea. You know, I think there might be a good reason...oh yeah. We don't vote. Most of us don't care.

You know, the more I contemplate this, the more it makes me mad. This is stupid. I am not an adult, hence I have no real rights. I am nothing but a child. As much as I don't like that, it's true. Childhood is about preparing for your future rights- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

That is all.