the use of singular and plural

[calmalways]

Here is the sentence from news:
The right of children to know the identity of their biological parents is a human right.

My question is: why the words 'right' and 'identity' are used in singular rather than plural.
for 'right', is it because there's only one right-to know the identity of their biological parents-considered in this sentence?
for 'identity', I will use plural if I write this sentence.

Thanks a lot and happy new year!
Sonya

 

[heidita]

Here is the sentence from news:
The right of children to know the identity of their biological parents is a human right.

My question is: why the words 'right' and 'identity' are used in singular rather than plural.
for 'right', is it because there's only one right-to know the identity of their biological parents-considered in this sentence?
for 'identity', I will use plural if I write this sentence.

Thanks a lot and happy new year!
Sonya

It is not that there is only ONE right, but it is a UNIVERSAL rigth, according to the author.

And parents is taken as a whole. He could have said, the identity of their mother and father.

cheers

 

[calmalways]

Thanks a lot Heidita.
So if the expression of a word or phrase is universal or taken as a whole, we can consider it as singular, right?

"The right of children to know the identity of their biological parents is a human right."
right: universal
children: whole
their biological parents: whole

I'm still confused, why don't you say 'the identity of their mothers and fathers?'

It is not that there is only ONE right, but it is a UNIVERSAL rigth, according to the author.

And parents is taken as a whole. He could have said, the identity of their mother and father.

cheers

 

[heidita]

You are right: mothers and fathers could be possible too. Actually, more so.

I was thinking of several children and only one mother and one father. Of course, he is referring to several children, and several parents.

So, you are quite right.

cheers

 

[calmalways]

You are right: mothers and fathers could be possible too. Actually, more so.

I was thinking of several children and only one mother and one father. Of course, he is referring to several children, and several parents.

So, you are quite right.

cheers

Thanks a lot!