Children are rarely consulted on major family decisions, such as moving to a new home, according to a survey issued by the Shanghai Women's Federation yesterday.

The federation said that the right to participation (in decisions) is one of four rights stipulated in the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child, together with the right to life, development and protection.

"In the past, we paid much attention to the other three rights but neglected the right to participation," said Zeng Fanlin, a special education professor at East China Normal University, who led the survey.

The right to participation means children have the right to express their ideas freely about things affecting them and their opinions should be respected.

The survey showed most parents and children had never heard of the right or think it is foolish.

The federation surveyed 1,234 junior and high school students, 1,083 parents and 206 teachers.

Nearly 30 percent of teachers said children shouldn't be involved in making major decisions.

"A child's views won't be adopted when we decide big things like whether to buy an apartment or an expensive electric appliances because it is too complicated for a child," said Chen Yun, the mother of a 12-year-old girl. "As for where to go during the holidays, we will satisfy her as much as possible."

(Shanghai Daily November 23, 2005)