Child Rights

Every child should have quality healthcare, a good education, and a safe home and community. But the United States lags behind other nations in protecting these basic rights. America has one of the highest infant mortality rates among developed nations, and the United States leads the world in violence against children and child poverty. Child farmworkers in the U.S. also continue to work in dangerous conditions at very young ages, and the United States is also one of the only nations that has failed to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. First Focus is working to educate policymakers about the need for reforms that protect the basic rights of every child in America.

Resources


Podcast: Defending Public Education with Arnie Fege

| November 15, 2023 |

In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with children’s activist Arnold “Arnie” Fege about the importance of defending public


Podcast: Creating a Children-First Mindset in Policy and Society with Adam Benforado

| November 1, 2023 |

In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with law professor Adam Benforado about the lack of attention paid to


From Cradle to Limbo: The Immediate and Long-term Dangers of Repealing Birthright Citizenship for Children

| October 17, 2023 |

Birthright citizenship, enshrined by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, has stood as a pillar of inclusivity since its ratification in 1868. It reads:


Protecting our Students – A Conversation with Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani

Event June 12, 2023 |

Jun 12 2023 Ended Protecting our Students – A Conversation with Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani Across the country, challenges to our public schools


What Does the IPCC Report Mean for Our Children?

| April 11, 2023 |

For children around the world, the situation is already dire. Children are not just small adults – their behaviors and physiology mean that they’re more susceptible to nearly every adverse effect of the climate crisis.


Recognizing Children in the Debate Over Education and Schools

| March 31, 2023 |

As a child advocate, it is deeply frustrating to people in our community that issues of great importance to children, such as education, are


While Many Politicians Are Focused on Book Bans, Kids Are Dying

| March 30, 2023 |

Education is a children’s issue. Unfortunately, far too often, lawmakers ignore the needs, concerns, and best interests of children when making policy on education


Testimony: House Judiciary Committee Hearing on “Free Speech: The Biden Administration’s Chilling of Parents’ Fundamental Rights”

| March 22, 2023 |

Today, First Focus on Children submitted the following statement for the record to members of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government. Excerpt


Title 42 “is not an immigration policy,” advocate says

| December 21, 2022 |

Courts, Congress and Biden Administration must uphold U.S. tradition of welcome In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s continuation of the pandemic border restrictions known as


Fighting Education Inequity: Young People are Critical to Transforming Education

| September 2, 2022 |

The following is a Guest Post by:Anny Lin (Youth & Student Fellow at Global Campaign for Education-US. alin@gce-us.org), Emily Davis (Research Associate for the