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