Did you have a happy childhood? Or are you among those who wish your children will never have to experience the poverty or the severely strict parents that you did?
Today's Indonesian children should be living in bliss -- at least if the law on child protection passed almost six years ago is anything to go by.
It governs laws on children's protection and rights, covering child trafficking, labor, health research and rules on preventing a child's religion from being changed before the child is old enough to make his own choice.
Imagine, nowadays parents can be reported to police for just pinching their children, regardless of whether they have reached wits' end after a hard day's work
Our children should be among the happiest on the planet.
On today -- National Children's Day -- we're reminded once again that many children are happier than others, and that some are not around for the celebrations.
This year, seven-month-old Marcelina Sulla of West Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, died. In the past six months, 21 other infants in the province have died of malnutrition combined with other diseases, including tuberculosis and diarrhea.
In the province's 2008 budget, an amount equal to about 40 US cents per child is allocated to fight malnutrition. Compare that to the billions of rupias allotted for the renovation of the governor's official residence.
This example offers only a glimpse into the country's failure to issue and uphold laws on children's welfare.
Under the law on child protection, a parent is obligated "to ensure their child's health since pregnancy."
But for regular moms and dads, the state's other obligation -- that children be allowed to "freely rest (and) play" -- raises questions as to whether parents should share the blame for exposing children to 12-hour-long school days, extra lessons, national exams -- not to mention homework.
Reports show that Korean and Japanese children enter the rat race as early as kindergarten, and suffer from sleep loss at high-school -- so shouldn't we be doing our bits to ensure our children can compete with their fellow students in the region?
"You'll thank me when you grow up," we tell our kids when they complain of this and that.
Then parents get blamed for their youngsters' lack of "emotional quotient" and their shortcomings on the "happiness index", while the experts change their opinions on how to raise children every minute.
But what has gained little notice in this law, passed in October 2002, is a child's right "to express their opinions and have the right to have their opinions heard."
This is perhaps an alien concept to many of us raised in a "father knows best" environment. However, we take extra notice when a gathering of children issues a statement.
In an ongoing congress themed "Saving Children From Injustice" being held in West Java, 10 child delegates are expected to issue a declaration today.
Let's listen to what they have to say.
Their statement might provide a clue to the needs and hopes of the next generation.
The law doesn't say we will go to jail for not listening, and besides, listening to the children themselves might shed a bit of light on all of those confusing pieces of advice issued to clueless parents by parenting experts.
Whether it is families, neighborhoods, or the government listening, the children's voices will teach us what it means to consider children's best interests, as stated in international and national laws.
Listen to their voices or, at the very least, give them the chance to voice their opinions.
