Have you ever asked yourself what a teenager’s rights are? It is easy to feel that teens have no power over anything — including their own lives, and that the adults in your life have the right to make you do whatever is pleasing to them. That is very far from the truth! Like other persons, teens have just as much rights than you think!! Let’s consider some.
A Teenager’s Rights
While family, social, legal and educational rights are not a full listing of a teenager’s rights, they are some of the most basic ones. Many of a teenager’s rights stem from having the ability to make a decision without parental consent.
1. Family and Social Rights
Above all else, a teen has a right to life, to be treated as a human being by friends, family and associates. This right extends to all, whether teen, toddler or elderly (Section 31, Sub-section 1 of the Nigerian Constitution).
Although, it may often be on different levels; teens have the right of respect from others. A teen also has the right to a sustainable lifestyle. Shelter, food and clothing are all basic rights that teens have. Of course, this doesn’t mean that a teen has the right to the newest styles at the mall. A teen’s right to clothing involves only what is necessary to protect him/her from the elements.
A teen also has the right to be loved. While some people have stronger families than others, each teen deserves someone around to provide support and comfort. One of the final social rights that a teenager has is the right to be safe from harm. This includes all types of harm from physical (such as child abuse or bullying), emotional (such as threats and insults) or any other type.
For Example, Section 34, Sub-Section 1(a-c) of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that no person (teenagers included) should be subject to torture or other inhuman treatment; should be held in slavery or servitude; or required to perform forced or compulsory labour EXCEPT as prescribed by law as in the case of a court sentence, as a member of the Armed Forces, or on compulsory national service permitted by the constitution.
2. Right To Education
All teens have the right to an education, which is the fundamental right to be taught and learn. This includes having the proper resources, environment, and facilities to learn the basic levels of education provided to a teenager.
Section 38, Sub-Section 2 of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that no persons (teenagers included) attending any place of education are required to receive religious instruction, or take part in any religious observance that does not relate to his/her religion, or not approved by his/her parent or guardian.
3. Legal Rights
Section 35 Sub-Section 1 maintains that every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty except in extreme cases permitted by law. One of such exceptions is if a person has not reached the legal age prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution, which is pegged at 18 years.
What does this mean? That persons younger than 18 have no personal liberty? No! It means that their liberties are subjective to that of their parents or guardians, especially as regards education and personal welfare.
What if the parents/guardians fail in discharging their responsibility? In such instances, they would have committed a crime punishable by law. Though, some countries provide emancipation (that is freedom from parental/guardian care, and complete independence), I doubt if the Nigerian Constitution provides this caveat though.
Though it may sometimes seem like teens have little rights in the world, a teenager’s rights actually are a lot more significant than most teens would initially think. I hope that you will demand them at home, in your community, and at school!
