The contemporary youth rights movement is mostly liberationist ideology in a mostly protectionist world, which means that in order to be effective, it must incorporate elements of both.
[conflict]
The basic conflict between liberationist and protectionist approaches to children’s rights stems from the protectionist belief that children will be in danger they should not face if adults don’t keep them safe, because they know those dangers better, and the liberationist disregard of age in the belief that protection should never be against someone’s will. It can be summed up by Benjamin Franklin’s famous line from An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania (1759): “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
[consensus]
Ultimately, there is a basic tenet youth liberationists and protectionists can agree on: young people should have the rights to life and the pursuit of happiness. The youth rights movement hopes that, by adding liberty, they can achieve an agreement that actually does make young people happy. To that end, liberationist activists may incorporate support for policies that give youth a voice in established protectionist systems, such as the juvenile courts, family law, health care, primary and lower secondary education, the foster care system, and the emancipation of minors.
[practical (self-)advocacy]
So you support youth rights: what now? What can you do to protect one of the most vulnerable populations on the planet? What if you are that population?
[start small]
1. Respect youth. When you see a young person on the bus, at the park, at school, in a store, smile at them. Look them in the eye. Don't simply think of them as young and charming; think of them as a person with hopes and dreams and emotional outbursts and passions. Smile at them as you would an adult: not just a look but a shared glance.
2. Listen to youth. If you have children, if you teach children, if you see children at a library or a grocery store or a party, if you ever hear a young person voice an opinion, listen to them and judge their arguments based on logic, merit and validity, the way you would in any other discourse. Never use age against someone in an argument - you can talk about whether someone has experienced something, but not dismiss their views because they haven't. If you make statements about children, make sure the children have a voice too. If you see a child at a conference or a political rally or a meeting, assume they're there for the same reason as adults - to espouse their beliefs. Ask them what they think. Respond thoughtfully. The best way to make youth equals in a society where they're not is to treat them as though they are.
3. Watch the world around you. Look at things from the perspective of a young person. Notice how the media portrays children and teenagers. Notice how people talk about them. Notice how parents treat their kids. Figure out what is "normal" treatment of children, and consider whether it's respectful. And whenever you can, speak up about injustice.
4. Be permissive. Forget what pop psychology teaches about authoritarian vs. permissive vs. authoritative parenting. Most modern parenting advice is designed for a world where there is an inherent power imbalance between parents and their children. You are told to set rules and enforce them, you are told kids need limits, and you never hear a child's voice in the debate. A child's voice says kids need love, not limits. Instead, imagine treating yourself the way you treat your child. Instead of setting rules, explain your reasoning. If your child agrees, you can trust them to act accordingly. If they don't, listen to their argument, and if it's valid, don't try to enforce your will through parental authority. Don't use reward/punishment based parenting - if your child does something you're happy with, express that; if they do something you're unhappy with, express that. Talk things out.
5. Civil disobedience. Don't obey laws you disagree with: from buying a drink for a seventeen-year-old you trust, to not enforcing curfew or truancy laws, to not censoring young people's internet access, the greatest thing you can do for youth is to be on their side.
[think big]
1. Read up. Learn how pioneers of youth rights articulated their positions - this will be immensely helpful in articulating your own. Take what you can find on this site and in the links and run with it. Compare these to popular societal attitudes, and hone your ability to spot injustice and speak out about it.
2. Engage youth. If a young person finds a law, policy or attitude unfair, talk to them about it. Talk about what they believe and debate with them about injustice. Tell them about the rights they may not have been educated about. Give them resources. Help them protest, and support their self-advocacy. Speak on their behalf, if their voices are not being heard. Use the authority society gives adults over children either as the children wish, or not at all.
3. Organize. Seek out organizations and people, old and young, who care about the same injustices and get involved. More people talking about something gives it more publicity and credence. Fifty people who oppose a new curfew law are more likely to be listened to than one. When you speak out about injustice, note your supporters. Try to meet up to discuss issues. Talk with young people about their rights and do what's important to them.
4. Protest. Combine civil disobedience with speaking out. Disobey laws you disagree with and then talk about it. Oppose proposed laws and policies that are unjust to young people. Group together and talk to your policymakers. Take to the streets and find support. Make youth rights a public discourse.
5. Hope. Never forget what it's like to be young, and never forget what you want the world to be like. Activism takes a long view, because in the short term, especially just as a movement is gaining momentum, you're constantly going to be fighting an uphill battle. You're going to get discouraged. You're going to meet other young people who've bought into the idea that they're not equal. You're going to lose battles and fail to change unjust policies. You're going to see people oppress youth more than you thought was possible. But remember that ultimately, everyone is a victim of an unjust society - it perpetuates itself. And remember that all civil rights movements started this way. As long as you've got a vision in your head, you've got a fighting chance for a future.
[external links]
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