Family diversity

Family is a social institution that takes many forms. And nowadays, children’s experience of family varies between cultural, political and social systems, with each presenting a multitude of family structures, such as households with a single parent, same-sex parents, adoptive families, extended families, and children born from assisted reproductive technologies, among others. These have emerged in response to social change, urbanisation, conflict, scientific advancements and other circumstances. Yet despite this diversity - and in spite of conservative notions of what 'family' should be - one thing remains constant: that from a children’s rights perspective, family is an arrangement which provides care, nurture and development. 

Below is an evolving list of resources dedicated to debating this issue.

  • Claiming back rights: the "family rights" fallacy 
    Increasingly we are seeing groups or organisations use the language of children’s rights to excuse or justify violations of human rights and to disguise xenophobic, misogynistic, homophobic, racist or nationalist views. Under the guise of protecting children, the family or national security, dissent is being crushed, demonstrations are being banned and discrimination against women, children and LGBT groups is being perpetuated. Children’s rights are not charitable. They are established within broader international human rights law and we are going to speak out against those who undermine this. It’s time we claim back rights.