In the face of a society characterized by strong ideological currents, it is important to ask the question: Who really has the right to shape children's values and outlook on life? The answer is rooted in both Norwegian law and international human rights: Parents have the primary responsibility.
What is parental rights?
Parental rights give parents both the right and the duty to make decisions on behalf of their children – especially when it comes to upbringing, care and education. This is about more than practical choices. It is about the right to shape the child's values, worldview and beliefs.
Parental rights in Norway mean that:
- Parents have primary responsibility for the child's development and values.
- The school should be a partner, not a replacement, in the value transfer.
- Parents' beliefs and views on life should respected in teaching.
Three key laws that protect parental rights:
1. Children's Act Section 30 – Parents' educational responsibility
«The child is entitled to care and consideration from those who have parental responsibility. […] Parental responsibility shall be exercised based on the child’s interests and needs.»
📌 Parents have the right and duty to make decisions in their child's personal affairs, and to ensure proper upbringing and education adapted to the child's needs.
Source: Read in Lovdata
2. Education Act Section 1-3 – Cooperation with the home
«The training should, in cooperation and understanding with the home, […] show respect for the individual"'s conviction."»
«"The education should be based on fundamental values in Christian (…) heritage and tradition."»
📌 The school should collaborate with the home and show respect for parents' values - especially in life-oriented and value-laden topics.
Source: Read in Lovdata
3. European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – Article 2, page 34
«"The state's activities in the field of education and teaching shall be carried out with respect for the right of parents [...] in accordance with their religious and philosophical convictions."»
📌 Parents have the right to ensure that their children's education is in accordance with the family's beliefs and views. This is a protected human right.
Source: Read in Lovdata
Briefly summarized
- Parental rights are a statutory and human rights protected right.
- The school should collaborate with home, don't override it.
- Teaching must be designed with respect for home values and beliefs.
What's happening at school today?
Many parents express concern that children are exposed to values conveyed in school that conflict with the family's beliefs - without being informed in advance.
- Schools participate in Pride celebrations, often without parental involvement.
- Teaching about gender and sexuality often includes norm-critical theory and ideological perspectives.
- Sexuality education is often based on secular theories, advice and practices, with materials that can be perceived as explicit and with inappropriate language
- Children are presented with content that clashes with home beliefs, without the possibility of reservation or customization.
- Parents feels like being sidelined in questions concerning the child's values.
What can parents do?
- Ask the school annually for advance information about any teaching and topics that affect views on life and identity, sexuality and gender.
- Point out the right to adapted education in line with the needs of the child and the family (cf. regulations § 1-3).
- Write politely and clearly FAU letters or feedback by worry.
- Stand together with other parents, congregations and communities – your voice matters more than you think.
Stand on truth and use the law
The role of parent involves a responsibility that no one else can take on for you – not the school, not the state, and not society.. You don't have to win every argument. But your children need you to stand firm. In a time of many strong voices, it's important for parents to be aware, clear, and confident in their role.
Children need adults who show the way – with love, wisdom and firmness. Your voice makes a difference – both at home and in meetings with schools and other parents.
«Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.»
– Proverbs 22:6
Research and sources
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child – UNICEF
- Constitution Section 109
- Education Act § 1-3 and § 10-3
- European Convention on Human Rights – ECHR Art. 2
- FRI and the Norwegian Directorate of Education's teaching materials on norm criticism and gender
- Report: Parental rights in practice (2023)