Special Words for Special Needs ~ Is Our Freedom as Parents Being Threatened?
1:54 AM, Jul. 3, 2009
Freedom is the theme this week. America has always stood alone and strong against the winds of the world. Sprouting into being by a handful of patriots that believed with their entire being that we needed to have a nation founded on God and not man (kings). Through the years we have navigated a tough course. I fear that the years of America standing tall and with honor and independance are being threatened. What I am talking about is the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.
You may have heard about this treaty through numerous christian outlets ParentalRights.org, HSLDA, Focus on the Family's CitizenLink, or Media Monitor. I will leave you to read their wonderful write ups. I will contain myself to the danger I see with special needs children, and our ability to parent them.
In this treaty the laws and rights of a child are given over to UN law, world law. Our nation's laws will no longer apply when they go against the treaty's laws. The child's rights are given so much weight that they are equal to a parents in making decisions. A child could petition the court to allow them to go to school rather than homeschool.
Consider this: a young teen is mildly mentally retarded and very open to suggestion. Enter a relative that pushes that child to go to court to get "real schooling". Or a child that is Oppositional Defiant. They want to do it just to cause the drama and reinforce their need to control their environment.
Now I wonder what happens when a doctor or other authority figure decides that your non-verbal autistic child really wants or needs to go to school? Could this treaty be used to get the child an attorney and fight the parents for the legal right to decide that child's schooling "in the child's best interest"?
Special needs children are an "at risk" group, according to the governement. So they are naturally the object of greater scrutiny. This treaty is not a good thing for our parenting freedom. This treaty is also not a good thing for raising moral, well educated children.
As a child I remember having a fit at the grocery store. My father would not buy me pudding packs for my lunch. They were new and I just had to have them. I stomped my foot and told him when I grow up I am going to eat pudding at every meal and you can't stop me! He chuckled and said we'll see, but until then you eat what I tell you. He went on to teach me through the years how to eat healthy. Yes you guessed it when I was older and I went shopping for myself I sailed right past the pudding aisle. Parents are there for a reason to teach, train, and show children how best to be.
If you would like more information of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child please go to ParentalRights.org
Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 7 years. Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal! Visit Heather's page at www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling
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