Welcome back to MHREC’s Empowering Children: Building a Rights-Respecting Community Campaign, an awareness series on children’s rights! Today, we’ll explore two contrasting perspectives on how best to support children: liberation and caretaker.
Liberation Perspective
The liberation perspective views children as capable individuals who should be free to make their own choices. This approach advocates for minimising adult control and allowing children to exercise greater autonomy.
Critical Points of Liberation Perspective:
- Autonomy: Children should have the freedom to make their own decisions.
- Equality: Children should be treated as equals to adults in many respects.
- Empowerment: Encouraging children to take control of their own lives fosters independence and self-confidence.
Caretaker Perspective
On the other hand, the caretaker perspective emphasises the role of adults in guiding and protecting children. This approach is based on the belief that children need adult supervision and support to grow and develop properly.
Critical Points of Caretaker Perspective:
- Protection: Adults should safeguard children from harm and make decisions in their best interests.
- Guidance: Providing direction and support to help children develop skills and knowledge.
- Responsibility: Recognising that children may not always be able to make the best choices for themselves.
Finding a Balance
Both perspectives have their merits, and finding a balance is vital. Children need protection, guidance, and opportunities to exercise autonomy and learn from their experiences.
In Practice
Here are some ways to balance these perspectives in real life:
- Education: Provide structured learning environments while allowing children to choose some of their subjects or activities.
- Health: Ensure children’s health and safety while respecting their preferences and involving them in decisions about their care.
- Family Life: Create a supportive home environment where children feel safe and have a voice in family decisions.
Conclusion
Understanding the balance between liberation and caretaker perspectives helps us support children in a way that respects their autonomy while providing necessary guidance.
Next week, we’ll discuss the intersection of gender and children’s rights. We’ll explore how gender issues impact children, particularly girls, and what can be done to address these challenges. See you then!
Il-Homework tal-Ġimgħa: Discussion
Should children be given more freedom to make their own decisions, or do they need more guidance and protection from adults? Share your views in the comments below. Do you have any personal experiences or examples that illustrate the importance of either perspective?
This activity is part of the project “Strengthening Children’s Rights Advocacy through International Training”. Partly funded by the Government of Malta Social Causes Fund.
MHREC 
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