Laws relating to children

• The law often made no distinction between children and adults, and children could face the same severe punishments as those handed out to adults
• Overtime the idea of childhood as a separate stage in life gradually developed and society became more 'Child-Centred'. Parents invest a great deal in their children both emotionally and financially
• Changes in the law:

  • Laws excluding children from paid work
  • Compulsory schooling
  • Child protection and welfare legislation
  • Children's rights
  • Laws and polices that only apply to children
• Laws excluding children from paid work - in the 19th century, children as young as 6 were used in coalmines and other industries. A series of Factory Acts gradually excluded children from the workplace
• Compulsory schooling - Introduced in 1880 ensured a basic education for all and also had the effect of keeping children out of paid work
• Child protection and welfare legislation - the 2004 Children Act made the child's welfare the fundamental principle underpinning the work of agencies such as the social services
• Children's rights:

  • The Children Act defines parents as having 'responsibilities' rather than 'rights' in relation to children
  • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) lays down basic rights such as entitlement to healthcare and education, protection from abuse and the right to participate in decisions that affect them like custody cases
• Laws and polices that only apply to children - Minimum ages for a wide range of activities, reinforce the idea that children are different from adults and so different rules must be applied to them