The U.S. and the Convention on the Rights of the Child: What’s the hold-up?

Abstract

Summary

It took teaching a family policy course for me to realize just how behind the United States is on ratifying international treaties – especially those pertaining to human rights. Though the U.S. expresses a commitment to human rights, has helped draft treaties that proclaim such, and has even signed many of these documents, this means nothing within the continental U.S. if the Senate does not ratify them. Herein, I discuss some of the reasons the U.S. has held back ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Findings

Of important human rights instruments the U.S. has ratified, it has taken an average of nearly 30 years after signing for the Senate to ratify each. Though the U.S. often sets a precedent and example for other countries to follow, it has yet to ratify the CRC. Every other country (minus Somalia) has ratified the Convention. Yet, these countries may not see the importance of enforcing it if the U.S. does not value ratifying it.