Research Ethics and the Concept of Children's Rights

This paper examines the arguments that have been put forward about the implications of children's rights for the ethics of research involving children. It begins by exploring the concept of rights, and the different kinds of right that have been identified in the philosophical literature. From this, the discussion moves to the nature and legitimacy of children's rights. Finally, the implications of the debates about children's rights are examined for research ethics. It is argued that these implications are more limited and problematic than is generally recognised.