Children: Their Rights and Responsibilities

Eight evening meetings on changing conceptions of the rights and responsibilities
of children. Scholars from history, philosophy, English, art history, psychology,
religious studies, and jurisprudence, together with practitioners in the
field, jointly considered the history of children's rights, and the relation
of children's rights to law, education, exceptional children, research, alternative
lifestyles, and the family. In each session short presentations made by
three panelists were followed by open discussion with the audience. In light
of the International Year of the Child, the topic was thought to be a timely
one, although attendance was below expectations, averaging 45 per meeting. The
project director felt that some of the humanists' papers were too academic for
a general audience. However, the overall response was favorable, and as a result
of the project a separate group has continued meeting to discuss the issue of
the family.