Children’s rights are inseparable part of the wellbeing of children. Internationally acknowledged rights of the children are set in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which aims to guarantee every child the opportunity for comprehensive development and well-being. Supporting parenting has received growing attention in the European Union. The European Commission has made recommendations according to which it is the obligation of the state to ensure conditions, where parenting is valued and supported, where children can grow in positive environment, where parents are encouraged to seeks help if needed and where alternative methods instead of physical punishment are promoted.
In 2012, Praxis studied the first time the society’s awareness, attitudes and experiences regarding the rights of the children and parental education related issues. During the past five years, many legislative changes have taken place: adoption of the new Child Protection Act in 2014; introduction of maintenance support system for single parents in 2017; children aged 16-17 receving electoral rights in local governments elections as of 2017. Also, first steps have been taken to support parenting: as of 2016 the Ministry of Social Affairs together with the National Institute for Health Development carry out a parenting program “Incredible Years”, which helps parents to develop efficient strategies to prevent and cope with behavioural problems of their children.
The purpose of the current study is to again get an overview of the awareness of the society regarding the children’s rights and parenting. In addition, the study also aims at analysing if and how have the knowledge, experiences and attitudes changed during the past five years, and whether the goals of the national “Strategy of Children and Families 2012-2020” are achieved.