Youth rights
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Youth rights refers to a set of philosophies intended to enhance civil rights for young people. Youth rights are inherently responsive to the oppression of young people, with advocates challenging ephebiphobia, adultism and ageism through youth participation, youth/adult partnerships, and ultimately, intergenerational equity.
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[edit] Movement
The "youth rights movement", also described as "youth liberation", is a nascent grass-roots movement whose aim is to fight against ageism and for the civil rights of young people - those "under the age of majority", which is 18 in most countries. It is ostenisbly an effort to combat pedophobia and ephebiphobia throughout society by promoting youth voice, youth empowerment and ultimately, intergenerational equity through youth/adult partnerships.[1]
As opposed to "children's rights" groups, which tend to advocate entitlements for young people and favor paternalistic handling of minors by government, youth rights organizers seek to enhance the role of young people in society through youth empowerment and equal rights.[citation needed]
[edit] History
First emerging as a distinct movement in the 1930s, youth rights have long been concerned with civil rights and intergenerational equity. Tracing its roots to youth activists during the Great Depression, youth rights has influenced the civil rights movement, opposition to the Vietnam War, and many other movements. Since the advent of the Internet youth rights is gaining predominance again.
[edit] Distinction between youth rights and children's rights
Differences between calls for youth rights and children's rights are not the same. The children's rights movement advocates changes that are often restrictive towards children, with accusations of paternalism, pedophobia, and adultism often leveled at their efforts[citation needed]. A comparison of 1970s youth liberation literature and child rights literature from groups such as the Children's Defense Fund demonstrate a clear distinction.[2]
[edit] Key youth rights issues
Of primary importance to youth rights advocates are historical perceptions of young people, which are informed by paternalism, adultism and ageism in general, as well as fears of children and youth.
Youth rights advocates believe those perceptions inform laws throughout society, including voting rights, age of candidacy, age of consent, Child labor laws, right-to-work laws, curfews, drinking age, driving age, emancipation of minors, voting age, minors and abortion, closed adoption, Corporal punishment, the age of majority, military conscription and the right to sign Contracts.
There are specific set of issues addressing the rights of youth in schools, including zero tolerance, gulag schools, In loco parentis, and student rights in general. Homeschooling, unschooling, and alternative schools are popular youth rights issues.
Strategies for gaining youth rights include developing youth programs and organizations that promote youth activism, youth participation, youth empowerment, youth voice, youth/adult partnerships and intergenerational equity between young people and adults.
[edit] Prominent youth rights individuals
Youth rights, as a philosophy and as a movement, has been informed and is led by a variety of individuals and institutions across the United States and around the world. In the 1960s and 70s John Holt, Richard Farson, Paul Goodman and Neil Postman were regarded authors that spoke out about youth rights throughout society, including education, government, social services and popular citizenship.
Alex Koroknay-Palicz has become a vocal youth rights proponent, making regular appearances on television and in newspapers. Mike A. Males is a prominent sociologist and researcher who has published several books regarding the rights of young people across the United States. Several organizational leaders, including Sarah Fitz-Claridge of Taking Children Seriously, Bennett Haselton of Peacefire and Adam Fletcher of The Freechild Project conduct local, national, and international outreach for youth and adults regarding youth rights.
[edit] Prominent youth rights organizations
The National Youth Rights Association is the primary youth rights organization in the United States, with local chapters across the country and constant media exposure. Americans for a Society Free from Age Restrictions has been a historically important organization, fostering a great deal of attention online. The Freechild Project has gained a reputation for interjecting youth rights issues into organizations historically focused on youth development and youth service through their consulting and training activities. The Global Youth Action Network engages young people around the world in advocating for youth rights, and Peacefire provides technology-specific support for youth rights activists.
[edit] See also
- Youth politics
- Student rights
- Camel racing, a sport in which trafficking in and enslaving of children is common
- Youth empowerment
- Youth voice
- Ephebophobia, fear of, or prejudice against, adolescents
- Adultism, the bias towards adults at the expense of children and youth
- Pedophobia, the fear of infants and/or children
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Fletcher, A. (2006) Washington Youth Voice Handbook Olympia, WA: CommonAction.
- ^ Axon, K. (n.d.) The Anti-Child Bias of Children's Advocacy Groups Chicago, IL: Americans for a Society Free of Age Restrictions.
| Basics: | Youth • Empowerment • Youth empowerment organizations • Youth empowerment individuals • Youth-led organizations |
| Theory: | Youth voice • Youth/adult partnerships • Intergenerational equity • Youth rights • Positive youth development • Evolving capacities |
| Issues: | Youth activism • Student voice • Youth participation • Community youth development • Youth leadership • Youth court • Youth council • Youth service • Student activism • Youth vote • Youth politics • Youth-led media • Youth movement • Student rights • Student-centered learning • Free school • Adultism • Ephebiphobia |
| History: | American Youth Congress • Students for a Democratic Society • Youth Liberation of Ann Arbor • History of Youth Rights in the United States • International Youth Year |
| Documents: | Convention on the Rights of the Child • The Teenage Liberation Handbook • Pedagogy of the Oppressed • Youth: The 26% Solution |
