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Definition of the Child – Article 1 and 2 - (2-2)

Why and how to define a child ? 2/2

Children are not little adults with little rights.

From a biological point of view, a child is a person who is not of age to have children. The development of a child is a process more or less continuous that passes through several stages :

Thanks to the International Convention of the Rights of the Child, all countries share the same definition of a child

0 to 28 days, newborn

28 days to 2 years, infant

2 to 6 years, early childhood

6 to 13 years, childhood, the term preadolescent is also commonly used

Beginning at 13 years of age, puberty marks a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Functioning of the hormonal system that will provoke the peak of physical growth, maturation of the reproductive system and physical changes all occur.

The great cultural differences that exist among countries as well as the significant physical and emotional changes involved in passing from childhood to adulthood have brought attention to the need to find a consensual definition, a global reference that is valid and acceptable to all and that allows each child to be equally taken into account, regardless of where in the world she is.

The United Nations thus drew up a definition of the child so that all countries having ratified the international Convention of the Rights of the Child share the same reference, which is laid down in Article 1 of the Convention :

« A child means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier»

Thanks to the Convention, it became very simple to define a child, which is a human being under 18 years of age, unless the law of his or her country deems him or her to be an adult at an earlier age, which is rare.

The future

According to UNICEF estimates, 130 million children are born each year. In many countries, they represent more than 50% of the population.

It is absolutely essential that the rights of children are respected so that, first of all, they survive and are helped to mature and develop in harmony.