Title: Discrimination Against Youth – Freechild Institute
Headings: Discrimination Against Youth
Discrimination Against Youth
Identifying Discrimination
Discrimination against Youth in Language
Discrimination against Youth in Youth Work
Discrimination against Youth in School
Discrimination against Youth in Communities
How YOU Can Resist Discrimination Against Youth
Tips for Addressing Discrimination Against Youth
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Published by Adam F.C. Fletcher

Content: Discrimination against Youth in Language
“Act your age.” “Children should be seen and not heard.” “What do you know, you’re just a kid!” “Do as I say, not as I do.” “You’ll understand it someday, just you wait.” Discrimination against Youth in Youth Work
Programs designed by adults for youth without youth
Isolation of children and youth from adults
Professional language does not allow youth to easily understand what is being done to them
Evaluations engage adult staff and not youth participants
Discrimination against Youth in School
Students are forced by law to attend schools that may not be effective
Classroom learning relies on adults as sole-holders of knowledge
Decisions about students, including learning topics, activities, punishments, budgeting and teaching methods are routinely made without students
Adults routinely grade students without giving equal weight to students’ perspectives on their own academic achievement
Double-standards in treatment, including when the belief that when teachers yell at students, they are controlling classrooms; when students yell at teachers, they are creating unsafe learning environments
Discrimination against Youth in Communities
People under 18-years-old are virtual non-citizens without the right to vote or any tangible political representation and minimal influence
Community problem-solving that routinely neglects youth members
Business policies that allow for discrimination, such as “Under-14s must be accompanied by adults,” and “Under-18s cannot be managers.” Local laws that target youth, including anti-cruising and anti-graffiti laws
Media bias against youth that alternatively portrays youth as apathetic super-predators who are obese, stuck on computers, gang members. How YOU Can Resist Discrimination Against Youth
There are many ways that young people and their adult allies can challenge adultism. Addressing discrimination against youth is a challenge that many young people and adult allies should take personally, especially when armed with meaningful strategies for powerful action.