Article 18
You have the right to be brought up by your parents if possible.
Article 18 says that a child or young person's parents will normally have the main responsibility for bringing them up. They should both do this, both share responsibilities, and both be concerned with the best interests of the child or young person in their care.
If a child or young person only lives with one parent, their other parent should provide them with support. The form this support takes will depend on what that child or young person's best interests are. Children and young people shouldn’t be discriminated against if their parents aren’t married or never were.
Article 18 and the State
The State has a responsibility to assist parents where it can. People employed by the State who may be involved in a child or young person's upbringing in this way include:
- people who run playgroups or youth clubs
- school guidance counsellors
- school nurses.
The State should review how it assists parents, to make sure it’s doing the best job it can.
Care
When it isn’t possible for a child or young person to be brought up by their parents, they should be cared for. Article 20 goes into more detail about going into care.
Related articles
Article 5 says the responsibilites parents have towards a child or young person will change as they develop.
Article 7 says children and young people have the right to know and be cared for by their parents.
Article 9 says children and young people shouldn't be seperated from a parent unless this is in their best interests.
Article 10 says children and young people should be able to know a parent even if they live in a different country.
Article 16 says the State shouldn't interfere in a child or young person's home life without good reason.
Article 27 says that a child or young person's parents have a responsibility to provide them with an adequate standard of living, but that the State should provide this if their parents cannot.