George Muller was a lying, gambling thief who lived in the mid 19th Century.
By the end of his life, he had overseen the care of over 10, 000 orphans in Great Britain.
This is the man we're going to spend some time looking at however...
Here's a bloggable question. What rights does a child have?
Firstly, it's important to figure out what a 'child' is. By law a child is anyone under the age of 18. By logic, though, it's different. There are plenty of 15 year olds who act (because they have to, or because they want to) like adults, and there are plenty of 25 year olds, who don't act (because they can't, or because they don't want to) like adults.
So let's put our definition of 'child' as someone who requires considerable care from an adult or guardian; and who has very little independance... and is unemployed.
Now... (feel free to dispute that... but it's not that irrelevant for our topic.)
Over time the expectation on children's rights has changed. In the 'old days' children were supposed to be seen and not heard. In other words, 'tuck your shirt in, comb your hair and smile politely'.
These days however, intelligent and articulate children are splashed across the media like toys. Think Bindi Irwin... and all those Hollywood kids (Miley Cyprus, Hillary Duff etc...).
What rights do kids have in 2009? Children have a right to feel protected and loved. Children have a right to be looked after by government if the adults caring for them fail.
Do they have a right to choose which parent they live with?
Do they have a right to demand 'material possessions'?
Do they have the right to do whatever they want - and the parents pick up the blame and consequence?
Ok - s0 that's a lot of questions.
Let's start there. Let me know what you think. Maybe you can add in any thoughts about George Muller as well.
Mansfield
To be honest, I find 'celebrity children' disgusting and slighty pathetic.
ReplyDeleteI don't even bother reading teenage girl magazines because all they talk about is complete rubbish! who's dating who... whats 'in' this season... and (have to say it) sex.
not to mention every flippin' day we hear about yet another celebrity doning next to no clothes and taking pictures! and most of these females are 16/17!
Now I find THAT childish.
Bob's you uncle,
Hannah.
First of all, you spelt Miley Cyrus and Hilary Duff wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think children should have a say in which parent they want to live with. I mean, parents should at least consider how the child feels before making a decision. But i don't neccessarily think that they should choose as they might not be very mature...
I don't really think they have the right to demand these possesions. I think that as long as they have protection, love and food, etc then they shouldn't really be demanding. However, just asking would be better.
I think that up until they are adults, parents should be responsible for their own children and take the blame for their actions, because they don't know better. But if they do know better and understand this, then the child should be blamed.
I like George Mullers beard.
Plus Miley Cyrus is moving in with her boyfriend of 21 years at the age of 17. He's a model...
A child has a right to be loved, but they shouldn't really be demmanding everything and then expecting there parents to get eveything for them, thats childish.
ReplyDeleteAfter all what kind of kid would it make?
And depending on the situation a child shouldn't be able to do what ever they want.
I mean, my parents wouldn't let me burn the carpet even if i really wanted too.
It's childish.
Da spageti man
Well i think that technically children should have rights, but i think there is a limit. They still have to obey the law, they should be able to choose what they do and THEY take the blame for it not their parents. But i think that the government should be sure that the children are being brought up correctly, with the right morals, thoughts and just the right mindset. They should be taught what is right and wrong and then let them choose what they wish to do with that knowledge. i dunno, i am quite confusing and contradicting myself at times...
ReplyDeleteCHRISSY :P
I agree, the media has put so much stupid pressure on the non-celebrity kids because of what they think that they should look/act/be like.
ReplyDeleteand back to the question of what rights a child has. I think that they have as much right as their parents give them and of course coming under that is responsibility. whether or not the 'childs' parents give them responsibilities and rights is up to them. I mean its not like a ten year old can go and vote or whatever though. Just my thoughts..
-Jo
Yes yes,agreeing with Hannah on the celebrity children/teenage girl magazines thing.
ReplyDeleteBut I think children SHOULD have the right to choose which parent they live with, or if their parents are epic failures, whether they even live with their parents at all. A friend of mine who will remain nameless has to live with his grandparents because his dad has never had any part in his life, and his mum is too emotionally and mentally un-stable to look after my friend, his twin brother and 2 sisters. Children deserve to have a life, and if their parents aren't responsible enough to give them the basic things they need, the child should be able to live their own life. Children, or people of any age, don't really have a "right" to demand "material posessions" but they can ask for things they want, and if they get them they do, if they don't they don't. If, however, a child/teenager is living outside of their parents care, and their parents neglect to give them their legal payment of either $50 or $100 a week, the child can demand that something be done.
and this comment is way too long and...no one's going to read it. haha.
overandout
-Beck.
i believe that children should have the right to be children, enjoy thier adolescent years. i dont mean to say that they should always have their way in whatever they want they should be taught how to live but in the same way be respected and not looked down upon because they are young and dont know as much.... children are a blessing and i supose keep our daily lives interesting..... how often do we laugh because of what children or our friends (if your friends are classified as children) do. children have the right to be children and the right be looked upon and looked after as children but not looked down upon.
ReplyDeleteI agree entirely with josh. Every chikd can be demanding at one stage and ims ure that everyone of us has been aswell. but i also agree with hannah brett. Celebruty children do take the right that they have and use it in as many ways as possible. You see celebrity's having TANTRUMS becuase they cant get the latest fashion item or whatever. THAT IS BEING CHILDISH.
ReplyDeleteAlannah
sorry for the spelling mistakes guys :P
ReplyDeletealannah
I think that children should be loved it is something that everykid needs in a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteas for material possesions, kids don't have a right to ask or demand for stuff like that, it is not essential they don't need it. It would make you really bratty!
but if you had to choose wich parent to be with i think the child has a right to choose because who knows one of the parents could be horrible and they might not want to live with someone like thatt.
i agree with hillary, nowdays not many kids are offered the choice of wich parent they want to live with or where they want to go.
ReplyDeletei believe that the child should choose where they want to live or who they want to live with, weather num, dad or grandparents.
They should also choose what type of clothes, books, school, etc they want to attend, own or just borrow(within reason of ratings,etc)
Nowdays not many children are let to do what they want or go where they want. this may be because or money or laziness or stuck up parents.
If most parents knew that they were in trouble with the law, they would automatically punish them without question. Some parents will also take the kids money to pay fine, if the kid wasnt wearing a seatbelt.
i think that parents should start to involve kids in their planning and ideas for outings.
smile
I just have one more thing to say.
ReplyDeletetalking about children needing love there has been some research on babies that have everything they need material wise but when it comes to love they get none. and the research proved that the baby died because they had no one to love them. so really I think that love is way more important than material things.
Jo
i agree that hids should be kids until they mature(hopefully teen years)and that they shouldnt go to far
ReplyDeleteOh
ReplyDeleteI forgot to answer the question about whether the parents or kids should take the blame for the things kids do.
I personally think that if I do something stupid, I should take the blame; not my parents. But if my parents had no educated me otherwise about the "stupid thing" I did, then it should be put on their shoulders, since I wouldn't have known any better.
yeah.
-Beck.
One of the ten commandments is 'Children obey your parents.'
ReplyDeleteDoes this apply unconditionally... or is this irrelevant in a post-Jesus time?
Mansfield
i belive that children are children! they should be loved and cared about just like any child that you love. but i think they do deserve there won rights!..because there normal human just like the rest of us!
ReplyDeletepeace out!
maryane!
you guys have pretty much summed it up... but i should say that from personal experience i know that children don't have the right to choose where they live, but they do have a say.. but the final decision is usually made by the law (with the child's wishes in mind).
ReplyDeletewhen it comes to whether the child should have rights or not... i believe that children should, to an extent.. the laws can outline the basic rules, but i think that it's up to the parents to define the details.. mainly cause not all children are the same, some may be very mature by a young age (and can make proper decisions) but others can't.
and.. mansfield.. i believe that that commandment should be obeyed.. but of course that also depends on the situation you are talking about.. like some people stated above, if the parent is mentally disabled or ill.. i believe that this commandment could be bent (for the right reasons!).
so yea..
Heidi :)
I was just wondering if the soldier that stood beside the cross was a Christian, an apostle, or disciple or none of the above?
ReplyDelete