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Businesses Ignore Legal Definition of Childhood in Pricing

Posted: Mikaela on Mar 02 | Education & Youth, Uncategorized

While Bolivian law states broadly that those under twelve years of age should enjoy entertainment and culture “freely and simply,” private businesses throughout the country charge for their services for children as young as 3. While this practice is not technically illegal, the inconsistency in practice and the monetary burden on families frustrates many throughout the country.

Cochabamban public defender Augusto Siles suggested that local institutions and businesses that provide services to children and families should come together to create a consistent policy regarding charges to children and adolescents. Siles pointed out that such a community-initiated standard would have more impact than a government-imposed law because businesses would understand and honor the rules, and the new rules would also be adopted by non-governmental, private entities.

The definition of childhood set forth in Bolivia’s Law Number 2026 spans the time from conception to the completion of the twelfth year. Adolescence lasts from the twelfth birthday until the eighteenth, except in special cases.

According to the second section of the law, children and adolescents have the right “to participate freely and simply in the cultural and artistic life of their community” as well as a right to “Information, culture, games, shows, products and services that take into account their ongoing development.”

Bolivia’s laws are consistent with the International Declaration of the Rights of a Child, a nonbinding resolution drafted and ratified by the United Nations and ratified by many of the member states.

For more information in Spanish or to learn more about the Declaration of the Rights of a Child, please visit:

http://www.opinion.com.bo/Portal.html?CodNot=89730&CodSec=6

http://www.opinion.com.bo/Portal.html?CodNot=89731&CodSec=6

http://www.cirp.org/library/ethics/UN-declaration/

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