Protesting children

While they are accompanied by their parents, this phenomenon raises a number of questions, including the issue of child exploitation and the use of children to play on the minds of those in authority.

For many people including educators, this development raises serious concern. In most instances these acts of protest carry strong messages aimed at the political directorate and in some instances even laced with political undertones.

While citizens of all ages have the constitutional right to express their opinion, there is also the question of responsibilities that accompany all rights. Do these children truly understand what they are doing and the consequences of their actions? As minors, they cannot be held accountable for their actions and at school their teachers, acting in loco parentis, are thus held accountable for their actions, well-being and welfare. This is why it becomes all the more troubling when children are seen during school hours, in full school uniform, taking to the streets to make certain demands of the authorities.

While most of these protests are quite peaceful in nature, it is no secret that such action have the potential to escalate into violent confrontations, which may necessitate the intervention and action of the police. This can thus expose children to undue harm and danger.

Do these children, at the urging of their parents, truly understand that they are engaging in actions that may be in contravention of the law? Do they know that all avenues of dialogue to have the particular issue resolved have been exhausted, and protest action on the streets is a last resort? Do they understand all the dimensions of the issue(s) and why protest action is now the option of choice? Are they included in the discussions among parents and other adults when such decisions are made? These are some of the questions educators and the society at large must ponder upon. In seeking to build a democratic society, children must be taught that one is held accountable for one’s action, in addition to respecting the rule of law and the structures of engagement that govern a civilized society.

They must be taught to communicate with each other and those in authority in a civil and respectful manner, engaging existing structures and not disrespecting those in authority. They must be taught that civil disobedience is a last option to be engaged only when civil institutions break down and fail to serve the people.

This kind of deep understanding of principles of democracy is hopefully acquired when one becomes an adult and thus the decision to engage in protest action is made after careful consideration of a myriad of issues.

As adults we must be very careful about age sensitive exposure to children, bearing in mind their levels of understanding to decipher complex issues of rights versus responsibilities as well as actions and consequences. If children are to be involved in protest action for one reason or the other, adults must consider the long-term implications of such involvement in the context of building a civil society.

Using children as political pawns should never be an option.

It is sincerely hoped that when such action is being contemplated, the adults planning such action are fully conscientious of short and long-term consequences.

Teachers will be well advised to ensure that if they become aware of such action being planned they would engage in the necessary guidance for parents.