Hands Up for Your Rights

Learn about the Rights of the Child

Instructions

Hands Up For Your Rights explores what the rights of the child are, and what the difference is between things we “need” and things we “want”.

You could explore these ideas on your own, in your household, or with a youth group.

Getting Started

Make sure everyone can see each other.

One at a time, call out the list of things below and everyone should raise their left hand if they think it’s a “need” and their right hand if they think it’s a “want”.

Keep a tally of the decisions you make.

Hands up for your rights – needs and wants

  • Your own bedroom
  • A computer
  • Protection from abuse
  • A bicycle
  • Clean air
  • Protection from discrimination
  • Fashionable clothes
  • Education
  • The opportunity to express your opinions and to be listened to
  • Fast food
  • Nutritious food
  • Holiday trips
  • The opportunity to practice your own culture, language and religion
  • Medical care when you need it
  • Money to spend as you like
  • Parks and places to play
  • Decent shelter
  • TV
  • Clean water.

Are there other things you would like to add to the list of ‘needs’ that you have as a young person? How about the list of ‘wants’?

What is the difference between a need and a want? Is it sometimes tricky to tell the difference between the two?

The Rights of the Child

The United Nations has agreed that Children have Rights, things they need to have a good life.

Some of those rights were included in the list, they are:

  • Protection from abuse and neglect
  • Clean air
  • Protection from discrimination
  • Education
  • The opportunity to express your opinions and to be listened to
  • Nutritious food
  • The opportunity to practice your own culture, language and religion
  • Medical care when you need it
  • Playgrounds and recreation centres
  • Decent shelter
  • Clean water.

Does that match what you thought were needs? What would you add? Are there rights that you have in your home or in your group?

Take it Further

If you enjoyed exploring what your rights are, check out String of Rights to celebrate them further, or have a look at Check Your Privilege to explore how your access to these rights might differ depending on who you are and what you look like.

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