Convention of Rights Of the Child

After reading the Convention of Rights Of the Child, in both written and in photo essay form; I have realized there are clear differences between the two, even though they contain the same information. The text version is a very lengthy document that spells out all of the rights of children all over the world.  It covers basic human rights and protections that each child in the world should be entitled to. With so much information to cover, and to communicate the entire scope of very specific children’s rights, the document, of course, has to be very thorough and lengthy.  As important as this information is, the reader may read it line by line in the beginning, but then skim over the balance of the document, once they realize how lengthy it is.  While the information listed clearly spells out very specific children’s rights, it does not communicate the rights with emotion.  It lists things more in a matter of fact way.The photo essay has a far stronger emotional appeal than the text version, and it better conveys the concepts behind the images. The photos very effectively communicate the range of emotions – fear, happiness, security, safety, joy, etc. – which will stay with the reader, make more of an impact, and will be far easier for the reader to understand.  The photos are intended to depict what the specific rights are, and those rights were listed under each photo.  If the reader didn’t have a clear understanding, they might after viewing the particular image chosen to illustrate each right.

For instance, in photo essay part 1, photo number 9, it lists article 19 under the image…Article 19: Children must be protected from “… injury or abuse…including sexual abuse, while in the care of parents…or any other person…” A girl was repeatedly raped by her father, Guatemala.

Just by listing this subject, it has an impact on the reader, with an understanding of the importance of this right, and how tragically a child would be affected by rape.  The impact is far stronger when a picture shows a girl, blurred in the far part of the room, and the caption very specifically lists a girl who it is said to have been repeated raped by her father.  This image shows what we assume is the actual victim, and it states who victimized her – and give the location, Guatemala.  It’s a personal story not just stating the right that should protect any and every child.The images that show the children that have been victims of violence is heartbreaking.  The images of sick, abused, and fearful children captures a moment of emotion.  Far worse, however, is when violence is shown – against children or any other situation – in video form. To watch, as if you were there, moment by moment, is far more disturbing than any photo, and would very likely be hard to get out of your head.