Courts and the Construction of Childhood: A New Way of Thinking

Abstract

This chapter explores what is meant by a new way of judicial thinking in which children are conceived of as independent subjects with rights and entitlements as opposed to mere objects in need of protection and charity. It consists of four parts. Part 5.1 provides an overview of the ways in which courts have constructed childhood over time. It suggests that three broad models have emerged-a proprietary approach, a welfare approach, and more recently a rights-based approach. Part 5.2 details the features of this newest way of thinking about children and Part 5.3 provides an overview of the ways in which courts engage with this model. It is argued that courts' engagement with a rights-based ap..