Recommendations for responsible communication about childhood and adolescence

The national and international regulatory framework recognizes girls, boys and adolescents as full subjects of law. This means that they are whole, developing people, protagonists of their lives, with their own voice, with specific rights and an extra special protection up to the age of 18. Both families and the entire community have co-responsibility in the fulfillment of their rights, with the State being the maximum guarantor. Incorporating this perspective when constructing and communicationally addressing childhood and adolescence implies avoiding treating them as “incapable” or objects of protection by the Justice, the State or even their families.

The rights of girls and boys are not expected rights until they reach adult maturity and can exercise them. They are complete acquired rights, which are exercised according to the age and degree of maturity of the stage of development in which they are found (Viola, 2012)1. The national and international regulatory framework recognizes girls, boys and adolescents as full subjects of law. This means that they are whole, developing people, protagonists of their lives, with their own voice, with specific rights and an extra special protection up to the age of 18.

Both families and the entire community have co-responsibility in the fulfillment of their rights, with the State being the maximum guarantor. Incorporating this perspective when constructing and communicationally addressing childhood and adolescence implies avoiding treating them as “incapable” or objects of protection by the Justice, the State or even their families. The rights of girls and boys are not expected rights until they reach adult maturity and can exercise them. They are complete acquired rights, which are exercised according to the age and degree of maturity of the stage of development in which they are found (Viola, 2012)1.

See full document https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/2020/09/2023-senaf-recomendaciones-comunicacion-responsable-sobre-infancias-adolescencias.pdf