Children, Family and the State (Live Questions in Ethics and Moral Philosophy)

This work critically examines the moral and political status of the child by consideration of three interrelated questions: what rights, if any, does the child have?; what rights over and duties in respect of a child do parents have?; and what rights over and duties in respect of a child does the state have? David Archard adopts two areas for particular discussion on the practical implications of the general theoretical issues: education within a multicultural context, and the medical treatment of children. Providing a clear legal context and a sharper, contemporary discussion of the question of rights, this book presents a clear introduction to key issues in the moral and political status of children.