Who Is To Decide What Is Right?

Brandy Sellers

English 102 Section S

September 20, 2005

Who is to Decide What is Right?

There are certain birthrights that children shouldn't have. Even though certain rights are established for everyone, there are certain rights that children are not mentally stable to handle. I sometimes hear children say that some things are their choice, but when the consequences come they breakdown and need the help of an adult to come to their aid. Yes, it is true that adults need help also when making decisions, but for a child that is too much pressure and unnecessary focusing. "Many of the adults who work most closely with children think that they and others like them should have a continuing voice in the effort to decide what's best for American Children" (Hawes, 118). Children shouldn't have the following right: the right to sexual freedom, self-determination and economic power.

One right children shouldn't have is the right to sexual freedom. For one thing, a lot of children are having sex to early to understand the concept of sexual intercourse. For instance, when a child is introduced to sex to early he/she can become pregnant or get someone pregnant. Also, the child might not know the responsibilities that comes along with having sex and can become HIV positive or catch some other sexually transmitted disease. Girls under 16 were three times more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases than older women (Atik, 36). In addition, the child can put his/her self in an uncomfortable position. For example, date rape is common among teenagers. Also, children get abortions because of unwanted pregnancies. "A demonstration of the common-sensical point that unwanted children are quite likely not to turn out to be the best citizens" (Posner, 58). By giving children sexual freedom some are put in predicaments that are too advanced for them, and even for most adults.

The next right children should not have is self-determination. To begin with, the style of clothing that some children are wearing is not appropriate. For instance, a lot of children are showing too much of their bodies and are being seen as sex symbols. Also, people are getting the wrong impression when they see children walking around in skimpy clothing. This can cause them to get put in an uncomfortable position and they might not know how to handle the situation without getting hurt. "Parents are completely responsible for their children's health, both mental and physical"(Worth, 34). In addition, all children should have a set and appropriate curfew. For example, when children are out all time of the night, parents need to wonder who their children are hanging out with at that time of night. Also, children without boundaries tend to get into gangs and violence. "The chances that a child will commit act of criminal violence increase if the community in which he or she lives is plagued by social disorder and crime" (Worth, 37). Therefore, children shouldn't have the right to self-determination.

Most importantly, children should not have the right to economic power. First of all, economic decisions that children make can affect their credit records. In fact, most children with put their selves in debt to early. For instance, because these are children accumulating the debt the parents are left to pay them off. "Many students, many whom have been consistently avoided, now receive a record number of credit cards.