[kidznurse]

I'm interested in how children's rights to health are viewed in USA. Are the tenets of the U N convention on the rights of the child openly discussed by nurses there? What are general societal/ media views on protecting children from corporal punishment? Free health care for children? Reducing the preventable disease morbidity and mortality? Who comes first adults or children ?

[DarrenWright]

Many Americans don't consider much at all about what the UN thinks; they hardly have done anyone any good anywhere else (i.e. Rawanda, E. Europe), so we hardly expect them to be influential in how we care for our children.

There is no such thing as free health care.

And we immunize the heck out of our children...with some exceptions that parents can (and do), decline.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by DarrenWright

Many Americans don't consider much at all about what the UN thinks; they hardly have done anyone any good anywhere else (i.e. Rawanda, E. Europe), so we hardly expect them to be influential in how we care for our children.

There is no such thing as free health care.

And we immunize the heck out of our children...with some exceptions that parents can (and do), decline.

I agree - most Americans don't give much thought to what the UN is doing. I certainly have little respect for that organization.

Most Americans don't think a swat on the tush is a bad thing.

We all abhor child abuse.

Most of us immunize as Darren said - but we allow parents to opt out if they wish.

Health care isn't free nor should it be.

There is a big push right now about childhood obesity and prevention. Diabetes rates in children and adults is skyrocketing.

Most of our public health departments are working hard on many issues related to children and health.

steph

(You should visit some of the active "universal health care" threads to get a taste of the controversy).

[kidznurse]

Originally Posted by stevielynn

I agree - most Americans don't give much thought to what the UN is doing. I certainly have little respect for that organization.

Most Americans don't think a swat on the tush is a bad thing.

We all abhor child abuse.

Most of us immunize as Darren said - but we allow parents to opt out if they wish.

Health care isn't free nor should it be.

There is a big push right now about childhood obesity and prevention. Diabetes rates in children and adults is skyrocketing.

Most of our public health departments are working hard on many issues related to children and health.

steph

(You should visit some of the active "universal health care" threads to get a taste of the controversy).

Thanks for that Steph
I have read some of the universal health care threads but can't relate to them . I live in NZ. Health insurance is optional and generally only taken up by the wealthy and those aiming to have access to elective procedures, or on tap medicine. Just as the state schools are fine by most of us, ordinary NZers tend to use the tax funded Public health system and find the state hospitals adequate. We have feee childhood immunisation , state funded dental care until 18, state funded antenatal care, well child checks etc , . Unlike the british system we do pay privately for r adult dental and family medicine ( GP's) but there are subsidies for those with low income. We also have no fault accident compensation so we don't do medical litigation. Its a different world .I can't compehend your system just as you can't comprehend ours. Like another language not better just different.

We are trying to come into line with the Tenets of the UNCROC not because we whole heartedly embrace the UN but because we are trying to create a moral and philosophical framework that is congruent with the rest of the developed world. We need to steer the path of a relatively newly colonised country. The tenets of UNCROC are that children have rights as individuals and as members of society. To this end NZ has recently repealed a law and outlawed children being physically disciplined. The law was changed about 20years ago to ban corporal punishment in schools and now extends throughout society. This brings children the same rights as dogs , women, and other adults who have already had legal protection from being physically struck. There are those who vehemently object to children having the same rights as dogs and women and have protested the repeal of the law . These people think that children are the property of parents. There was a similar outcry when NZ was the first in the world to grant votes to women since women were considered the property of men. I think it is time for children's rights to be up held.

It seems strange to those of us observing the US through your prolific media output portraying the tanned toned and trim ideal, that you have skyrocketing obesity. Then again NZ doesn't "really" have Hobbits roaming around.

Do the public health departments focus on childrens health mirror a general trend toward childrens rights in the US? I don't think I am alone in perceiving the US to have a history of Human rights movements or has the Bob Dylan song type of activism died in the US? Is everyone more engaged in consumerism and identifying children as a commodity and designer accessory for rock stars?

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by kidznurse

We are trying to come into line with the Tenets of the UNCROC not because we whole heartedly embrace the UN but because we are trying to create a moral and philosophical framework that is congruent with the rest of the developed world. We need to steer the path of a relatively newly colonised country. The tenets of UNCROC are that children have rights as individuals and as members of society. To this end NZ has recently repealed a law and outlawed children being physically disciplined. The law was changed about 20years ago to ban corporal punishment in schools and now extends throughout society. This brings children the same rights as dogs , women, and other adults who have already had legal protection from being physically struck. There are those who vehemently object to children having the same rights as dogs and women and have protested the repeal of the law . These people think that children are the property of parents. There was a similar outcry when NZ was the first in the world to grant votes to women since women were considered the property of men. I think it is time for children's rights to be up held.

[kidznurse]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

Hi there, Not sure about some of the US collquialisms used on this website for example I had no idea what LOL meant and had to ask. Likewise I don't know how to read this reply is it scathing or in agreement?? Bit difficult to debate when you are from another culture sorry.

We have at present the 5th lowest unemployment in NZ (3.8% at present ) and yet we are about 28th in the OECD for child health standards. High child abuse and Non accidental injury rates, preventable diseases like meningoccocal, Rheumatic fever, pneumonia skin infections. etc. Exceptionally disproportionate numbers of indigenous Maori and Pacific Island children in the mortalitity an morbidity stats( Samoa/ Tonga/ Cook Is etc immigrant groups)related to both socio economic disparity and cultural expectations and norms. It is a highly relevant topic to debate and seek resolve because it represents our future. Obesity is an issue amongst these groups with soaring diabetes and heart disease and early death. Fast foods are often attractive to such communities.

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by kidznurse

Hi there, Not sure about some of the US collquialisms used on this website for example I had no idea what LOL meant and had to ask. Likewise I don't know how to read this reply is it scathing or in agreement?? Bit difficult to debate when you are from another culture sorry.

We have at present the 5th lowest unemployment in NZ (3.8% at present ) and yet we are about 28th in the OECD for child health standards. High child abuse and Non accidental injury rates, preventable diseases like meningoccocal, Rheumatic fever, pneumonia skin infections. etc. Exceptionally disproportionate numbers of indigenous Maori and Pacific Island children in the mortalitity an morbidity stats( Samoa/ Tonga/ Cook Is etc immigrant groups)related to both socio economic disparity and cultural expectations and norms. It is a highly relevant topic to debate and seek resolve because it represents our future. Obesity is an issue amongst these groups with soaring diabetes and heart disease and early death. Fast foods are often attractive to such communities.

I meant that I absolutely agree with you! Sorry for any confusion.