Principles of Youth Justice
A neglected bedrock of social justice
In my high school and early college years, I was involved in student and youth rights activism. Mental health issues forced me to stop and focus on taking care of myself. But I still see youth justice as a core component of social justice that is frequently neglected even among liberals, progressives, and leftists.
Yet if you look at the history of social oppression, young people are often the most impacted — and the most powerless to do anything about it. Anti-youth ageism is so baked into society that we frequently don’t even talk about the rights of young people directly, but rather use parent rights as a proxy. This leaves young people vulnerable whenever their parents — or other adults with power over them in their lives — abuse their power and neglect young people’s wellbeing.
Any young person may be affected, but this is especially true for disabled, queer, and trans youth, as they tend to be more isolated and misunderstood within their families and are vulnerable to society as a whole as well. When we can only speak of parent rights, which parents’ rights do we support? Those who affirm their queer and trans children’s identities, or those who push conversion therapy? Those who recognize the dignity and autonomy of autistic children, or those who try to force them to be “cured”?
For a brief period in late 2020, I was president of National Youth Rights Association. During that time, I organized a virtual conference called Age of Youth in which various speakers discussed issues relating to youth justice. For the conference “packet,” I wrote out a list of Principles of Anti-Ageism. Later, I posted these principles on my website and eventually retitled them Principles of Youth Justice.
Given all that is occurring politically in the United States right now, I think it is timely to reshare these Principles to my Substack audience. The list is ever-evolving, so please comment if you have a suggestion for how to improve it. And please share this widely, so that it belongs to everyone and not just me.
We all begin our lives as young people. Many of us grow up and forget what it is like to be young in a world designed for the middle-aged adult. I hope these Principles allow you to reflect upon your experience of childhood and youth and how you can support the young people of today.
Q: Which principles in this list do you most resonate with? Is there anything missing? Anything that you did not expect?
Principles of Youth Justice
Youth Justice is deeply connected with the fight against ageism of all forms, including that towards young and towards elderly people. However, at a systemic level, young people are particularly disempowered and oppressed in our ageist society. The following principles attempt to take into consideration both of these truths, focusing upon justice for youth but also honoring people of all ages.
Older people should give space to young people and respect and support them as equal partners in change.
Young people can take space and take charge even and especially in places where they historically have been left out.
When conflicts arise between older and younger folks, openness and respect are paramount for all involved. In particular, older folks should examine their attitudes and actions for ageist assumptions, such as a belief that they are right because of having general “experience” (distinct from particular expertises, which anyone, younger or older, can have and which should be respected).
Younger folks should encourage older folks in breaking down their internalized prejudices with compassion and, when feasible, help them to correct their problematic language or behaviors.
Avoid using words like “kids” and “children” when referring to non-adult people as a whole, as some find them belittling. Try “youth” or “young people” instead.
Avoid romanticizing youth, such as thinking of youth as a time of “innocence” or of being “carefree.”
Youth should not be sexualized or sexually exploited, by older people or by other youth. Youth should be empowered to make informed choices about their own bodies; to explore their identities, desires, and self-presentation such as in relation to gender and sexuality; and to independently seek and receive support and care in regards to (physical and mental) health, identity, and relationships.
Avoid equating “young people” with “students.” Some young people are not in school, perhaps instead unschooling or working a full-time job, and some older people are enrolled in educational institutions. All of us, however, are forever learners, always striving to grow into more socially aware, critically and creatively thinking persons.
Ageism is deeply intersectional, tightly intertwined with other forms of systemic oppression such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, xenophobia, etc. Young people are BIPOC, young people are queer, young people are of various genders and of no gender, young people are disabled, young people are poor, young people are immigrants and migrants — just like older people. When we fight against ageism, we also commit to fight against oppression in general, for young people can only be fully liberated when ALL people(s) are liberated.