someone keeps arguing with me on a post where I described the state of being a child as functionally disabling (in the context of human rights) and they keep trying to make ridiculous comparisons that no one would ever believe like “you would never say that women are disabled!” yeah obviously no one would ever argue that women are inherently physically and cognitively unfit for human rights or autonomy. no one would ever say that. it’s so fortunate that we live in a world where no one believes that.
Except, you know, when you do. Say for instance if you are not able to open a bank account or own property or get a job or go to school or wear pants or go out into public alone or or or or or or…
also their other comparison was “you wouldn’t say being gay is like being disabled!” and you’re right I wouldn’t but this was a mainstream sentiment in the US within living memory and people got institutionalized and lobotomized and forcibly sterilized for it so like.
and then you look at medical racism and phrenology and it starts looking more and more like all this shit’s more closely related than you’d imagine
Children and the elderly sit in a special class of people identified as vulnerable and requiring support and additional protections.
Being a child comes with thr inhetent need for someone else to provide care, supervision, support, resources and learning. And the inherent power that the 'caregiver' has is severe, especially if used against the child.
As a social worker who has worked within child protection frameworks, it is very clear that children are a disabled class. While there is a statute of rights for all children held by the united nations, some countries (america included) did not sign.
These are basic tenets such as a child has the right to safety, food, shelter, education, not being physically or sexually harmed, not employed in dangerous roles,etc. It is thr basis for a majority of global child protection laws.
But, as we all know, the law being there does not prevent harm.
If you cannot go to the doctor by yoirself as a child, who might you tell if something is wrong? The person who hits you or touches you is sitting next to you and telling a story about the bruising, etc.
As a child you are less likely to be believed. A teacher might automatically go to the parents about a disclosure, rather than follow protocol because its a small town and their friend sharon would Never hit Timmy! Benefit of thr doubt.
Children cannot do anything alone. They shouldnt, for their own safefy, but that presumes a safe and appropriate caregiver.
Adults hold life and death over children. How many cases are there of parents who remove children from school and disappear, or refuse medical interventions for the sake of prayer or natural remedies some quack on fb came up with? Yes the parents can be persecuted after the child dies, or before if someone in the network reports it fast enough for authorities to intervene... but ehat of the child's rights, views and wishes?
Yes, there are times consequences are needed for kids doing dumb things. But the choice of what is up to the caregiver in that moment, and could be a frank discussion, or being belted unconscious with a whip.
Thats not hyperbole either. There are horrific things happening to children at the hands of Pillars of the Community all around most people. You dont know by design, and therefore if a child confides in you please take them seriously and seek appropriate support.
And even in the cases of not being physically or emotionally harmed, neglect (active, passive, accidental) takes many forms.
What can a child do against a parent who doesnt provide food 3 nights out of seven because the money went on the pokies, or weed? Or perhaps theyre having a mental health crisis and no one is checking in on the parent, so the child is unbathed and hungry and learning crying does not equal comfort?
Babies need to be turned in their crib or their skulls flatten at the back, thats how vulnerable these little things are from the minute they get here. They cannot clean or feed or clothe themselves for years even if neurotypical and meeting all milestones.
As they age, they are exposed to school, sports, activities, socialisation, possibly religion or cultural beliefs, etc.
Food and clothes and showering and transportation and healthcare and education and social connection are all controlled quantities by a parent or caregiver. Their actions are reported back by other adult eyes and mouths (teacher, doctor, therapist - who report back generally to parents but several may be too open and cause danger).
And if the child transgresses (real, imagined or as part of an atypical ruleset by the adults with power over them) the punishment is up to that adult. Who may be strict and violent, or not have any particular interest in the child, or be young and unsupported themselves, or be doing okay enough with help, etc.
Parents choose if a child gets dental care or have operations, or if they tell them they have a terminal disease. Lot of frey areas, and also some that are straight up medical neglect.
Continied refusal to get a child treatment for a medical condition can only be rectified by the intervention of authorised adults to take guardianship and make those decisions. The child may not understand why though, conflicted loyalties, etc. And it is often not their choice.
A child cannot walk into centrelink as a teen and get a payment without parental authority, etc. Even if they ran away. They need an adult, guardian or support agency staff, to make that decision.
Police are also likely to take a child home without proof of why they wont go home, and if they cant maintain a coherent narrative, its hard to use as evidence. Etc.
Children are a class of people with specific rights, but the people who choose to enact or waive them are the people controlling their day to day lives. Other adults have to notice or take the child seriously if they disclose something, for child protection or police to step in and make changes.
Children and wives were still considered property of the husband/father not that long ago. And while things have changed, kids still find themselves uniquely dependent, isolated, vulnerable and at risk because it is easy to dismiss their statements as imagination, etc.
Similarly, if an elderly patient with demetia is shoeing fear, mentioning being hit or touched by nurse aide chad, a lot of people would automatically assume its the dementia talking because chads a great caring guy! And clearly wouldnt do That.
Constant abuse stories from nursing homes of patients with bone deep bedsores or bruising, and from disability care homes too.
There are god people working to keep everyone safe in the legislayion they have, but it also starts with the general population becoming more aware of the sheer vulnerability of some populations and being open to taking kids, the elderly and the disabled more seriously.
But what if they made it up? What if thry didnt, and you missed it?
What if it ruins persons reputation? If they are doing x like claimed, they dont deserve their 'good' reputation.
The (vulnerable party) might have been mistaken about their intentions? What if they are spot on?
Most places would rather check on a potential issue and find it was actually less (dad beat me til i passed out = singular smack on hand to keep kid from touching stove, no matks) than not have a serious matter reported.
There have been RECENT cases of disabled children kept in locked rioms for years and nearly dead on rescue because everyone decided to mind their own business. Becausr kids are under a parents care,so lets not interfere.
A child died recently in qld because the parents got their cult to pray over her while removing all medical care for diabetes. She died. Dozens of adults decided not to tell anyone and just prayed. Did the girl have a say? No.
Not saying fistfight a parent in the parking lot, tho the temptation is there sometimes.
Also cant promise you wont get a dismissive investigator, that happens unfortunately, in all occupations. But every report is on the system, it is reviewed when new reports arise for all agencies with specific child protection powers including police,and it is ongoing evidence.
Without it, supports and monitoring cannot be put in place to ensure safety. The voice of the child can get lost if there isnt an adult there to back it up, esp if they are under 12.
Also thats another area thst needs management. Children are 'awarded' to a parent in a divorce even if their views and wishes were otherwise, because they are seen as too young to know what they need. Some magistrates are great in checking and weighing safety factors, though.
Children also have their own advocates in some court matters too, but adults have to organise that on their behalf, etc.
All systems are flawed, but children are uniquely vulnerable to exploitation, as they are seen as exentions of a family and not really a legally distinct person until certain ages and even then there is adult oversight.
Fascinating topic, with some pros and greater cons.
Our system is wildly different to that of america, though, so cant speak to the difference. Though here theres no ' take child from school for religious reasons and tell no one', the dept of education and the police will find you and ask what you're doing. Homeschooling actually means being connected to qualified and identified distance education schools.
Etc.
