Evolving capacities
Encyclopedia
Evolving capacities is the concept in which education
, child development
and youth development programs led by adults takes into account the capacities of the child
or youth
to exercise rights
on his or her own behalf. The concept of evolving capacities is employed internationally as a direct alternative to popular concepts of child
and youth development.
. Article Five of the Convention says that:
Article twelve also addresses evolving capacities, stating that:
Evolving capacities recognizes that as children acquire enhanced competencies there is less need for protection and a greater possibility that they can take responsibility for decisions affecting their lives. The Convention allows for the recognition that children in different environments and cultures, and faced with diverse life experiences, will acquire competencies at different ages.
The Canadian International Development Agency
reports that there are three primary points to consider regarding evolving capacities:
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, child development
Child development
Child development stages describe theoretical milestones of child development. Many stage models of development have been proposed, used as working concepts and in some cases asserted as nativist theories....
and youth development programs led by adults takes into account the capacities of the child
Child
Biologically, a child is generally a human between the stages of birth and puberty. Some vernacular definitions of a child include the fetus, as being an unborn child. The legal definition of "child" generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority...
or youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
to exercise rights
Youth rights
Youth rights refers to a set of philosophies intended to enhance civil rights for young people. They are a response to the oppression of young people, with advocates challenging ephebiphobia, adultism and ageism through youth participation, youth/adult partnerships, and promoting, ultimately,...
on his or her own behalf. The concept of evolving capacities is employed internationally as a direct alternative to popular concepts of child
Child development
Child development stages describe theoretical milestones of child development. Many stage models of development have been proposed, used as working concepts and in some cases asserted as nativist theories....
and youth development.
About
The concept of evolving capacities of the child first emerged in international law through the Convention on the Rights of the ChildConvention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a human rights treaty setting out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children...
. Article Five of the Convention says that:
Article twelve also addresses evolving capacities, stating that:
Evolving capacities recognizes that as children acquire enhanced competencies there is less need for protection and a greater possibility that they can take responsibility for decisions affecting their lives. The Convention allows for the recognition that children in different environments and cultures, and faced with diverse life experiences, will acquire competencies at different ages.
The Canadian International Development Agency
Canadian International Development Agency
The Canadian International Development Agency was formed in 1968 by the Canadian government. CIDA administers foreign aid programs in developing countries, and operates in partnership with other Canadian organizations in the public and private sectors as well as other international organizations...
reports that there are three primary points to consider regarding evolving capacities:
- Evolving capacities should be understood in the context of where children grow;
- Evolving capacities should grow out of respect for the competencies young people already have, and;
- Adults should protect young people from experiences and decisions they have not yet acquired the capacity to take responsibility for.
See also
- Youth voiceYouth voiceYouth voice refers to the distinct ideas, opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and actions of young people as a collective body. The term youth voice often groups together a diversity of perspectives and experiences, regardless of backgrounds, identities, and cultural differences...
- Intergenerational equityIntergenerational equityIntergenerational equity in economic, psychological, and sociological contexts, is the concept or idea of fairness or justice in relationships between children, youth, adults and seniors, particularly in terms of treatment and interactions. It has been studied in environmental and sociological...
- Youth/adult partnerships
External links
- Text of the Convention
- UNICEF web site regarding the CRC, including evolving capacities