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Youth rights refers to a set of philosophies intended to enhance civil rights for young people. They are a response to the perceived oppression of young people, with advocates challenging ephebiphobia, adultism and ageism through youth participation.
Of primary importance to youth rights advocates are historical perceptions of young people, which they say 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 age of consent, child labor laws, right-to-work laws, curfews, drinking age, driving age, emancipation of minors, minors and abortion, closed adoption, corporal punishment, the age of majority, and military conscription.
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.
A long-standing effort within the youth rights movement has focused on civic engagement. There have been a number of historical campaigns to increase youth voting rights by lowering the voting age and the age of candidacy. There are also efforts to get young people elected to prominent positions in local communities, including as members of city councils and as mayors.
Strategies for gaining youth rights that are frequently utilized by their advocates 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.
