Right to an adequate standard of living facts for kids
The right to an adequate standard of living is a very important human right. It means that everyone should have enough to live a healthy and happy life. This right is part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was agreed upon by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
—Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
This right is also written in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This is another important agreement from the United Nations about human rights.
What is the Right to a Good Life?
This right means that people should have access to basic things they need. These include:
- Enough food to eat
- Clothes to wear
- A safe place to live (housing)
- Medical care when they are sick
- Important social services
It also means people should feel safe even if they cannot work. This could be due to being unemployed, sick, having a disability, or being elderly. The idea is to make sure everyone has what they need, even when life is tough.
History of This Right
The idea behind this right, called Freedom from Want, was first talked about by American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He spoke about it on January 6, 1941, in a speech called the State of the Union.
President Roosevelt said that Freedom from Want was one of the Four Freedoms that every person in the world should have. He believed that all nations should work together to make sure their people have a healthy and peaceful life.
The third is freedom from want which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants, everywhere in the world.
—President Franklin D. Roosevelt, January 6, 1941.
This idea helped lead to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II. It shows how important it is for everyone to have their basic needs met.
Why is This Right Important?
Having a good standard of living is key for people to live with dignity. When people have enough food, shelter, and healthcare, they can:
- Stay healthy and strong
- Go to school and learn
- Work and contribute to their communities
- Live a life free from constant worry about basic survival
It helps create a more fair and just world where everyone has a chance to succeed.
