Hungarian Digest Children 1984/4-5 [antikvár]

(^ttcY to the (fUsnitrIn recent years Hungarian Digest has devoted numerous articles to topics related to children. This has been no mere coincidence since Hungary is a child-oriented country v/here special attention is paid to all issues pertaining to the welfare of the youngest generation. This special concern for children in Hungary probably has its roots in the pre-1945 period when children shared the fate of adults and were afflicted by the consequences of backwardness and deprivation just as their parents and relations were. The post-1945 period brought radical change. An important milestone was the Hungarian Constitution of 1949 whichwith certain modifications-is still in force today and which devotes a special section to the legal protection of children and to the network of mothers and child-welfare institutions. A marked achievement has been the introduction of the child-care benefit scheme which entitles working parents, mothers to three years leave from work and a regular monthly benefit from the state. Fathers too are entitled to the benefit with children aged over twelve months. Also serving the interests is the extensive network of day-care centers and nursery schools as well as free public education.The central theme of this issue of Hungarian Digest is the place of children in contemporary Hungary. Although a great deal still needs to be done there can be no doubt that Hungarian society is on the right course in caring for the generations of the future.THE EDITOR. 3