Increasingly, it seems, the Government is suggesting that the right tosome services should be dependent on children and young peoplefulfilling certain responsibilities - which almost always, ingovernment-speak, means "behaving well".
But should we be framing rights and responsibilities as opposite sidesof the coin? The truth is that they have more in common than might atfirst appear.
Many young people do not see responsibility as a burden: they welcomeit. They value opportunities to play an increasingly active part intheir homes, schools and wider communities, and there is a growing bodyof evidence to suggest that when they get involved they have a strongand realistic contribution to make. What's more, if young people areconsulted about what they want - instead of what adults say they canhave - they are more likely to use and appreciate the services thatresult, and public money will be better spent.
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