What Does the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Children Mean for American Parents?

Did you ever think there would be a day when the United Nations would be able to dictate American Law. Well the day is coming, and I am afraid it is coming quickly. If you are a parent, or are considering having children there is something you need to read. It is called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children. This treaty has been ratified by every member of the United Nations accept two countries (the United States, and Somalia). Recently President Obama has voiced his support for UNCRC, as have most legislative Democrats.

UNCRC establishes for children a basic set of rights. These rights include the forbidden sale of children into slavery, the prohibition of children from participating in war. While we would agree that these rights should be a foregone conclusion to every child, there are other portions of UNCRC that invade the rights of parents. An example of this would be found in the hotly debated issue of home schooling. Under UNCRC, homeschooling would come under the jurisdiction of the United Nations. Other potential pitfalls under UNCRC that parents must consider are laws that would prevent corporal punishment, and prevent interference from religious institutions int he upbringing of children.

If UNCRC is ratified it would mean that all judges (including Supreme Court Justices) would be forced to pass decisions based on the language and interpretation of said treaty. This would occur due to the Supremacy clause found in the United States Constitution. The Supremacy clause is found in article VI, paragraph 2 of the United States Constitution. It states " This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding." Surely our forefathers never saw a day in which something of this magnitutude could affect the United States system of law. As is the case, UNCRC stands at our doorstep awaiting ratification by our governing officials.

So what does it mean for you? If ratified, the UNCRC would supersede the US Constitution and allow children to be under the "parental" authority of the United Nations. This treaty would allow children the ability to take their parents to court any time they feel their rights are being violated. This treaty would determine for the parent the best way for a child to be educated (ie. no more homeschooling). This treaty would prevent parents from disciplining their children in the manner the parent chooses. This treaty includes a clause that forbids the spanking of a child for any reason. Under this treaty a parent would no longer be able to determine the religious preference for their children. This treaty allows a child to seek a "divorce" from their parent for any reason if they feel their rights have been violated.

I encourage every parent of every political persuasion to look into the ramifications of this treaty. Determine for yourselves what you think, and judge how you feel our justice system will interpret our laws based on this treaty.