Children's rights: the system is failing us
Being born into one family context or another, in a specific geographical area, or surrounded by certain environments influences the fulfillment of children's universal rights. A child doesn't choose whether their breakfast is leftovers from last night, nor can they conclude that this will cause digestive problems because it's not the most advisable thing to eat. They can't decide whether to wear clean clothes or not, or whether to shower in the morning if no one in the family helps them, nor can they deduce that this could lead to skin problems in the long run. They always need an adult, a role model, and that's why a true children's policy must have a comprehensive vision, acting within the family unit to have an impact on the child.
When we think about children's rights, key needs come to mind, such as education, having guaranteed daily meals, care... But being a child is also about power enjoy If so, that is, that the environment allows you to simply be a child, without worries that are not your responsibility yet, without having to take care of other children as a habit, without having to attend to domestic matters such as cooking or cleaning at very young ages, without having to take responsibility for everything that an adult should do.
Today I was reflecting on the fact that all of us who work in the social sector, and specifically with vulnerable children, have somehow normalized being at the mercy of a system that fails us. We've become accustomed to seeing the same names of boys and girls participating year after year in our scholarship programs, spending their entire primary and secondary education as users of a socio-educational service. But how are the authorities helping to break these cycles? They have statistical data, hundreds of published studies, and the daily reality at their disposal. Is it then a matter of a lack of sustained political will to truly and permanently improve the situation of children and families?
Thirty-two percent of children and adolescents in Catalonia live in poverty, and this stark statistic masks a storm of consequences that affect their mental and physical health, their academic success, and even their leisure time, which is hampered by excessive screen time and a lack of quality time. There is an urgent need to expand access to inclusive leisure spaces that promote work-life balance and provide role models and opportunities for growth.
It is also essential to work for children with a broad perspective, focusing on prevention rather than just reaction. To prevent these situations, which determine the future of our children, from becoming chronic, it is necessary to support families so they have access to working, cultural, educational, housing, and healthcare conditions that allow children to live and grow up in homes with dignified and enriching environments.
Third-sector organizations like the Pere Tarrés Foundation, through socio-educational and leisure projects, end up becoming the point of reference that allows us to meet the needs that arise in children's daily lives, in places where public aid falls short. But we cannot reverse these inequalities alone. Governments have an obligation to implement this strategic, preventative vision and promote the active participation of all children in safe spaces for relaxation and growth. The demands of those of us who know and work with this reality every day must be heard. Only then can we begin to fully guarantee children's rights.