'Parents beat children to educate, not to hurt'

National Children's Day was marked on July 23. Despite the celebrations and events surrounding the day, many children still do not understand what their rights are or where they can turn if their rights are taken from them. It is the duty of the state, parents and adults to educate children about their rights. The Jakarta Post talked to several people about the issue.

Amanda Agustario, 28, is a postgraduate student in psychology at a private university in Central Jakarta. She lives with her family in Bintaro, Tangerang:

Children have the right to live, get an education, to be fed, to have a home and, most importantly, they have the right to be loved. Another right that the government has neglected is their right to play.

Children living on the streets do not have that right. They have to work all the time. They shouldn't have to work to fill their empty stomachs. Not only that, sometimes they have to work to feed their parents, too.

The government must do something to prevent this so that the parents are the ones supporting the family, not the children.

I also hope that someday every child will receive free education and is able to live in a proper environment.

Tania Restiana, 25, works as a teller at a bank on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. She lives in a rental house in Karet, Central Jakarta:

Many people nowadays say that if a parent lays a hand on their children, they are abusing the children. I don't agree with this.

I think if children are punished for something they have done or because they have been told several times to do something but didn't do it, it's OK.

I see my sister's kids and sometimes they just won't listen to her. I'm afraid that they may just end up spoiled and without any discipline.

Parents usually hit their children to educate them, not to hurt them. But parents should also explain to their children why they are hitting them.

-- The Jakarta Post