Children: dehumanized or not yet fully human?

Is perceiving children as not yet fully human a manifestation of dehumanization or a mere reflection that children lack the features commonly considered distinctly human? In this paper, I discuss how seeing children as human becomings or human beings ties in with different perspectives on 'what it is to be human', drawn from the natural sciences, philosophy, and social sciences. In so doing, I highlight the benefits of endorsing an existentialist position where the existence of a human being predates their essence, which is created by their actions in the world. Both children and adults are human beings and human becomings. Moreover, I propose that these perspectives have implications for the dehumanization of other social categories.

Automated summary

This paper discusses whether perceiving children as not yet fully human is a form of dehumanization or simply a reflection of their lack of features commonly considered distinctively human. The author explores different perspectives on 'what it is to be human', drawing from the natural sciences, philosophy, and social sciences. The author argues in favor of an existentialist position that recognizes the existence of a human being before their essence is created through their actions in the world. Both children and adults are seen as human beings and human becomings, and these perspectives have implications for the dehumanization of other social categories.