Did you know: Your right to an adequate living standard does not only include food, housing, and clothing but also Health Care? 

The right to an adequate living standard is one of the many fundamental rights enjoyed by all human beings. A fundamental right is a set of basic rights that you enjoy just because you are a human being. Your fundamentals right include your right to life, liberty, freedom of speech, religion, and also to a fair trial.

What Does The Right To An Adequate Living Standard Mean?

Legally the right to an adequate living standard means that every individual has the right to a certain standard of living. This standard is defined by access to basic necessities of life such as food, water, clothing, and housing. The quality and affordability of these necessities are also included. This right also includes access to essential health care, social security, cultural activity, and education. An adequate living standard should be free from poverty, deprivation, and hunger. It should afford an individual the basic dignity that all humans deserve. An adequate living standard consists of dignity, essential resources, and also a supportive environment for the well-being of an individual.

Right To An Adequate Living Standard: Key Components

Right to an adequate living standard

Here is the true meaning of an adequate standard of living. These are its key components.

Access to food

It is every individual’s right to have access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food as a standard of living. It includes a balanced diet that meets the nutritional need of the individual and promotes his overall health.

Proper housing

The right to an adequate living standard includes adequate housing, that is, secure and habitable shelter. This will include basic amenities such as electricity services, proper sanitation, and a safe water supply.

Education

An individual’s access to education is a part of this fundamental right. This may include learning opportunities, vocational training, and also access to higher education.

Adequate Social Security

An individual has the right to adequate social security measures taken by the government. This includes pensions, unemployment benefits, and other forms of social assistance.

The ability to participate in social and cultural events

This guarantees the overall well-being of the individual. Social and cultural recreational activities are important for the mental and physical health of an individual.

Right against discrimination

This is also an important part of adequate living standards. No human being should be subject to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, race, sex, or any other matter.

Right to practice environmental sustainability

An individual should be able to live in a manner that conserves the natural resources of the earth.

Right To An Adequate Living Standard: International Instruments

There are numerous International instruments that guarantee this fundamental right of every individual.

• Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

This article guarantees an individual’s right to food, clothing, medical care, and overall well-being.

• Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

This article recognizes an individual’s right to an adequate living standard. 

• Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

This establishes the right of each child to an adequate living standard.

• The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women

This convention highlights the right of all women to enjoy adequate living standards.

• The European Social Charter 

It guarantees an individual the right to housing, security, and social assistance. 

• The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights

This charter also emphasize is on the same fundamental rights of an individual.

Right To An Adequate Living Standard: A United States Perspective

This section will discuss how the United States legislature protects the fundamental right to an adequate living standard.

• The United States Constitution

The due process clothes that were introduced in the 5th and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution protect individuals from deprivation of life, liberty, and property.

• Federal laws

The Fair Housing Act

This piece of legislation prohibits any discrimination when it comes to housing facilities. No discrimination on the basis of color, national origin, sex, religion, and other factors is accepted.

The Social Security Act

This piece of legislation gives individual benefits such as Social Security benefits, disability benefits, Medicare, and other economic support.

The Affordable Care Act

This piece of legislation was brought about to make healthcare more affordable throughout the United States.

The Fair Labor Standards Act

This ensures that people arHowever, overtime workers are not paid correctly in most cases, and here you can go for Unpaid Overtime Legal Help. You have the right to get money for working extra hours as an employee. Fight for your rights and find justice. e paid at least the minimum wage, due payments for overtime, and also given fair compensation.

State laws

• Each state of the United States contains certain laws that ensure the right to an adequate living standard for its citizens.
• Many states ensure that laborers and workers are paid the minimum wage according to legal standards.
• The tenancy laws of the state guarantee that tenants are provided adequate living conditions in their rental properties.
• Various employment laws of the state allow the residents paid family leave, sick leaves, and also other workplace safety regulations.

It’s A Wrap!

Let us take a quick look at some rulings by the US Supreme Court that guarantee your right to an adequate living standard.

• In San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez (1973), access to quality education was closely linked to the socioeconomic well-being of an individual. 
• In Goldberg v. Kelly (1970), the Court recognized essential benefits and support as a part of a basic standard of living. 
• In Plyler v. Doe (1982), the Court prohibited the denial of public education to children based on their immigration status. 

We hope these interpretations helped you broaden your horizons on the right to an adequate living standard.

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