UNCRC

What is the UNCRC?

The most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced and is the most widely-ratified international human rights treaty in history.

What does the UNCRC stand for?

UN Convention for the rights of children

What does BPS define as a child?

Anyone under 18 years old.

What are the BPS ethical considerations for children in research?

• Parents/guardians can give consent

• But researchers should still try and ask permission, offer right to withdraw and explain the study to the child

• Children must be given ‘ample opportunity’ to understand what the research is about

• Children should give consent to the ‘extent their capabilities show’

• You also have to be extra careful with things like harm (babies and young children can be easily upset), they are vulnerable

What articles of the UNCRC do we need to consider?

• Article 1

• Article 3

• Article 5

• Article 9

• Article 12

• Article 13

• Article 16

• Article 18

• Article 19

• Article 36

Describe article 1 of the UNCRC

A child is anyone below 18

Describe article 3 of the UNCRC

All actions should be within the best interests of the child

Describe article 5 of the UNCRC

Researchers should respect the responsibilities of parents/guardians to care for the child.

Describe article 9 of the UNCRC

Children should not be forcibly separated from their parents/guardians, except where strictly necessary.

Describe article 12 of the UNCRC

Children can advocate for themselves and researchers must take it seriously.

Describe article 13 of the UNCRC

Children have right to freedom of expression.

Describe article 16 of the UNCRC

Child’s privacy should be respected and researchers shouldn’t interfere with their home life.

Describe article 18 of the UNCRC

Researchers recognise both parents are responsible for the child’s upbringing.

Describe article 19 of the UNCRC

Researchers should take measures to protect the child from all forms harm.

Describe article 36 of the UNCRC

Researchers should protect the child from being protected.

How is Ainsworth inline with UNCRC guidelines?

• Article 18: child’s parents gave permission for themselves and their child to take part in research into attachment type and were following aware of the procedure of the experiment.

• Article 16: confidentiality maintained.

How does Ainsworth break the UNCRC guidelines?

• Article 3/19: some children (those classified as avoidant) experienced extreme distress/separation anxiety when as part of the strange situation procedure (which Ainsworth used to determine attachment type) their mother left them alone.

• Article 36: exploitation

• Article 12: views of the child not taken into account.