Intellectual autonomy as a child's right

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz fought fiercely for her right to intellectual inquiry despite institutional pressure to silence her mind. This concept applies that struggle directly to children's rights: every child deserves the freedom to think critically, question authority respectfully, and pursue knowledge according to their curiosity and capacity. In Sor Juana's tradition, intellectual autonomy is not a luxury but a human necessity—children denied this right are denied their dignity. This means protecting children's access to diverse ideas, encouraging philosophical questioning, and resisting attempts to prescribe what they may or may not think. Educational systems, families, and institutions must create space for children's intellectual exploration as a core children's right, not as a privilege to be earned.