An Attack on Parental Rights

As I prepare for the coming arrival of my daughter, I have a heavy heart as we assemble her crib and make plans for what should be a joyous arrival. The future looms uncertain as my freedom to parent my children is under attack. Will I truly be allowed to parent my daughter the way I believe I should, or will the storm in the distance sweep over our nation taking away my rights to home school, spank if the need arises, and raise her in a Christian home?

You may not be aware of the United Nations treaty Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that was signed by Madeleine Albright, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in 1995. It was not ratified, by the U.S. Senate at the time because there were so many parents opposed to it, but now we have a president who wants it ratified, and a Senate who just may cooperate despite the ramifications of such a treaty.

The enforcement of the CRC is not overseen by individual states, or even countries. It is overseen by a governing body within the United Nations. Governments who have ratified this treaty must report their progress to the U.N. to show their progress on assuring the rights of the child. The CRC is especially deceptive because on the surface, it looks like a document that ensures that children are treated well—and who wouldn’t want that? For instance, two optional protocols which were adopted in May of 2000 restrict the involvement of children in military conflict and prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography (The U.S. has signed both of these protocols). Unfortunately, the CRC goes beyond protecting children to striking at the fundamental values of the family.

It is only when you read the treaty that the real implications of ratifying the CRC are shown. This is not just a treaty full of altruistic statements. Ratifying this treaty means that the American people will answer to the U.N. government over how they raise their child. Homeschooling, spanking, and a host of other family-life choices will no longer be allowed despite the will of the people in each state. This foreign treaty will override any laws that American states ratify. This would be the most massive power-shift in United States history.

So far, in other countries, the treaty has allowed judges to rule that the wishes of the child are more important than the wishes of the parent. The message of the treaty is clear. This goes over and beyond proving abuse and neglect. Parents are overruled in cases of education and religion. The government can override parental decisions even without proof of neglect, abuse, or harm!

It’s easy to tremble in fear and search for a deserted land where we can flee with our precious families, but that’s not the right thing to do and it won’t stop the threat to our rights as parents. The right thing is to use the powers we’ve been given in this country to advocate our government and protect our rights—now, while we still have the chance. This article is the first in a series of articles in which we will be looking more in-depth at the specifics of the treaty and how it will affect us as U.S. parents. I don’t want you to read the articles and let a spirit of fear wash over you. Instead, read these articles and do what this country was set up for us to do—express your opinion. Get involved. You can start by signing the petition at the Parental Rights website. Also, consider joining the 10 and 2 program through their website. We are still the land of the free and home of the brave and for those who choose freedom over tyranny, it is time to stand up and make our voices heard. We can’t let them take our right to parent our children. If we sit by and do nothing though, who can raise his voice to complain?

In the coming articles, I hope you will come to realize the assault that this treaty is on our constitutional freedoms. We will look at specific aspects of the treaty in order to explore why this is such a threat to our rights as parents. Time is short and getting shorter. A California senator is trying to push the ratification of this treaty through quickly. See the most recent news story on the CRC. We’re not going to be dealing with this in a few years; this is something that could reach the Senate within 60 days. With all of the stir over the economy, this may be just what certain politicians have been looking for to distract America while they sign away our rights to foreign countries. Beware America. This treaty does not bode well for our families or our freedom.

This article is the first in a series of 10. To read the next article follow this link: UNCRC Article 3: From "Father Knows Best" to "Government Knows Best."