In past ages, children were their parents’ property and not considered persons of their own. That changed in the 20th century. Modern society considers children to be individuals who enjoy personal rights. These are universal principles which the UN general assembly adopted in 1989 when it passed the Convention on the Rights of the Child. All member nations ratified it, with one exception: the USA. The Convention is the most important human-rights document in regard to children. Girls and boys are entitled to health services, an education, social inclusion and a say in everything that concerns them. They must be free to develop their own personality.