Due to historical conditions during the last century, the societal view of children has evolved considerably. Children have now been identified as a group in need of special protection (other such groups include women, persons with disabilities, etc.) and their rights have been enshrined in an international document entitled the Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”). This article deals with issues concerning children’s lack of awareness regarding their rights (i.e., the rights of the child incorporated in the Convention) and their application; and builds on previous research in this field. The aim of this article is to answer the question of children’s awa­reness and knowledge levels pertaining to children’s rights, and the ability to implement them in practice. Age, gender, cultural and family background are factors taken into account. Research indicates that select rights are generally acknowledged rights, such as the freedom of speech and expression, the right to education and the principle of non-discrimination. With regards to other rights, the influence of age becomes evident, when examining activities assigned to young children by an authoritative body. The right to privacy was more often supported in older respondents. With regard to gender more boys than girls felt that it was acceptable to miss school in order to help their parents with the family business. While statistically speaking, more girls than boys acknowledge the right to an education and the right to a satisfying social environment.

University of South Bohemia Faculty of Health and Social Studies Department of Social Work České Budějovice

Literatura