Exploring an Inextricable Relationship between the State of Poverty and Children's Rights in South Africa: A Literature Review. (1st January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kange'the, S. M.; Nyamutinga, Dudzai
• Is Part Of: Journal of social sciences. Volume 46:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2016-01-01
• Subjects: South African Constitution -- United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Children -- Millennium Development Goals -- Child Caregivers -- Children Institutionalization -- Child-headed Households -- Universal Primary Education; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300.5
• DOI: 10.1080/09718923.2016.11893513
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-8923

Abstract

Abstract: This paper, through a review of literature explores, debates and discusses possibilities of an inextricable relationship between the state of poverty besetting children and denial of their rights. Although global, regional and national contexts uphold and advocate for the inalienable rights of children, there appears to be an interwoven relationship between poverty surrounding the children and the denial of their rights. In South Africa for example, the children's attainment of rights is undermined by poor schooling conditions, having children live in difficult circumstances, having to live in the streets and in unpalatable care environments, being prone to be infected by HIV/AIDS, and being in the hands of impoverished parents or guardians. Further, the state of poverty generally has the effect of denying them normal child development, leads to child neglect, child abandonment, vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, and possible deprivation to education. These researchers call upon the government, policymakers and other child friendly organizations to work towards improving the environment of children so that they may attain their inalienable rights inherent in the country's constitution if South Africa is to get a significant score in the 2015 Millennium Development goals stock taking.