Children are a voiceless minority with few political or legal rights. They are usually regarded as appendages of their parents. They exert no influence on any of the powerful groups and institutions which inform and underpin social and economic change. The whole concept of the rights of children is a new one. But what do we mean by children's rights? The essential thrust of a children's rights perspective is to establish a benchmark below which law and policy-makers cannot go. Empowering children as fully autonomous individuals with legal rights, the author argues, will enhance democratic society as a whole."The Politics of Children's Rights" outlines how children's rights are identified by the Constitution and in Irish law, and what bearing international conventions have on domestic law in this area. It identifies areas which remain to be addressed, suggesting legislative and constitutional changes to ensure the full vindication of children's rights.

Frank Martin lectures in Family Law at University College, Cork.