Protecting Our Children ; Is it time for a National Children’s Bill of Rights?
By: Cynthia Cavendish-Carey
The Casey Anthony trial is over and the “not guilty” verdict is in … on all counts except for four counts of lying to police. Serving her time for these misdemeanors, Casey Anthony will walk out of prison, a free woman, on Sunday, July 17th. Yet, the drama continues. The public is clearly – and vehemently – speaking out about a lack of justice for little Caylee Marie Anthony. The purpose of this article is not to retry the case in the public domain. Rather, I’d like to propose that perhaps it’s time to pass a formal bill of rights that would protect our children.
Many of you reading this are mothers – just like me. The children in my life and yours are precious beyond words, whether they are our own offspring, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or the kids in the neighborhood that we have the privilege of watching as they grow. Our children represent the future of our families, our community, our nation. Yet, the Bill of Rights that protects us as adults does little to protect the most vulnerable among us.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) chronicles the health, development and difficulties faced by children around the world. In their 2005 annual report, they stated that “protecting the human rights of children is critical to the development and continuity of nations. Yet, worldwide, the dignity and rights of children are violated every day.” I would submit that this state of affairs also includes the United States.
Our country leads the world in so many ways: economically, politically … isn’t it time that we also lead the world in the protection of children? It is estimated that “1,400 children die each year from abuse and neglect. Over 17% of Americans under 18, or 12.9 million children, grow up in poverty,” according to Harvard Law School. The site (www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/hrj/iss19/rutkow.shtml) goes on to state that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (“CRC”) is the most successful U.N. human rights treaty relative to the number of nations that have signed and ratified it. “In fact, every self-governed nation in the world has both signed and ratified the CRC with a single exception – the United States.” What are we waiting for? How many Ambers and Caylees must be lost before this country places an appropriate value on its youngest citizens? Children cannot vote, so we must be their voice.
It seems we only address this issue piecemeal … perhaps as public outrage becomes too hard for lawmakers to ignore. The Justice Department has now set up a website for AMBER Alerts as an early warning system to help find abducted children. The AMBER Alert system is a voluntary teaming between broadcasters and local police. It was created after 9-year old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and murdered. Many other states and communities – including Pennsylvania – have set up similar programs to help find our missing children. Now, in the wake of the Casey Anthony trial and verdict, there is a great deal of discussion surrounding establishment of “Caylee’s Law,” which would require the timely report of a missing child (presumably, well before the 31-day mark).
If you are a mother, proud aunt, grandmother, or someone who loves a child, do you think these two initiatives will be enough to protect those children that you love? Or, do you believe that the youngest among us have a right to live free from hunger, abuse, neglect and other inhumane conditions? Would it be surprising if we have more legislation on the books to protect furry, four-legged creatures than we do for children? As a caring pet owner, this legislation is necessary. But, so is legislation for children’s rights. So what can we do?
Our female voice is powerful whenever we choose to use it. There are organizations in our community who advocate for young boys and girls, including: Boys and Girls Clubs; the Women & Girls Foundation; the Girls Coalition; Strong Women, Strong Girls; among many others. We can support these organizations through donations and our time. Some of them may already be supportive of a Children’s Bill of Rights. And, we can write or call our local, state and national representatives. Whatever you choose to do can make a difference. If you want justice to be served, use your voice and your wallet to affect a positive change. Most of all, hug the children in your life and keep them safe – every day.
Cynthia Cavendish-Carey is a business and marketing consultant. She is working on her first novel, “Kachina and the Butterfly Maiden,” which is a young girl’s journey to find her own divine feminine.