1 Young People’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Do young people have the same reproductive rights as adults? Children and young people are not always granted exactly the same rights as adults. Children are more vulnerable than adults, thus both parents and society need to pay attention to custody, care and legal frameworks protect them. Child rights are nevertheless part of the human rights framework. We have child labour protection laws, and laws that protect young people from sexual exploitation. Thus a minor is warranted special protection, and cannot be as hard punished for crimes, cannot make all decisions on her own, and may need parental consent for health interventions. Many people tend to confuse child protection with the right of parents to rule over their children, since many of the child protection actions rest with parents ’ or guardians ’ activities in upbringing, nurturing and socialization of children. A rights approach ensures school attendance, and legal rights of having a parent or guardian to protect a child in its best interests. The right to marry, right to vote, and right to drive a motor vehicle are, and should be, age limited rights [1]. Reproductive rights, that this book is about, imply for many that these are right