The bioethics of children's rights

The Bioethics of Children's Rights are not only embedded in child development knowledge and in the laws of a particular nation or society, but also in the values, customs and practices of the culture in which they are formulated and practiced. The Bioethics of Children's Rights reflect the changing values assigned to children by adults in our society and are determined by the parents or parental adults responsible for the care and safety of children. The Bioethics of Children's Rights reflect the role of children of different ages in a particular society and community. It is difficult to conceptualize and define. It is fundamental to realize that you cannot refer to children's rights without taking into account the adults who provide them with the continuity of their affectionate, safe-guarding care. It is the parent(s) or their surrogates who have the capacity, authority and responsibility for defining those rights, and for asserting and assuring they are in the service of their children's needs and priorities. This paper, using case vignettes, is intended to heighten our consciousness that by and large children are unable to speak effectively for their rights alone. Through the voices of their parents, care-providers and the society in which they live, we can examine the voice of the child, with the child's needs and potentialities being paramount.