The Effects of Youth Discrimination

The bias and discrimination against youth in favor of adults is known as adultism. In an adultcentrist world, decisions are made for youth without their input, and negative stereotypes are applied to them to rationalize any harsh treatment. Although adultism is not always adverse, it can have less than ideal effects for youth.

Less Desire to Learn

• Youth often become bored in the classroom, which contributes to dropping out.

  Adultism in the classroom is often evident when teachers apply only adult learning styles to material. The curriculum, after-school programs and even grades may be decided by the teachers and administration without any input from youth. Over time, students may feel that their learning is solely in the hands of adults and disengage from school. In many areas, the dropout rate is rising.

Unemployment and Isolation at Work

• Work should give a teenager adequate preparation for a career, not separate them from others.

  During a recession, youth are often one of the first demographics to feel the effects. In July 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for youth was 19.1. Lack of employment reduces economic power and takes away valuable learning experience. Once employed, youth are often alienated from the adult coworkers due to differences in professional language, skill and the prevailing attitudes against youth---all of which often discourages youth from making contributions.

Child Abuse

• Adultism may encourage child abuse. Although the media often highlights teen violence, the Children's Bureau of Southern California reports that 3,000 kids are murdered by their parents. The mentality that the adult is always right often causes youth to remain silent despite being sexually or physically abused.

Lack of Preparation for Life

• Youth discrimination locks away life experience and the opportunity to learn from mistakes.

  Youth discrimination separates youth from adults and the decisions made by adults. Consequently, the opportunities for youth to learn from their mistakes, and from adults, are diminished. Adults may doubt the youth's ability to solve issues, so they rescue the youth, which prevents the child from developing and learning how to design solutions to complicated problems. The media often assists in decrying youth's lack of willingness to take responsibility, which results in youth being given less responsibility, and less responsibility results in fewer chances to prepare for adulthood.

Low Self-Esteem

• The frustation of being ignored may cause a child to act out in a destructive manner.

  Youth often have their ideas dismissed, ignored, or they are told, "What do you know---you're just a kid!" This treatment can cause youth to internalize negative feelings about themselves, to feel worthless, unwanted and less confident. As one child expressed in the book "What Kids REALLY Want to Ask: Using Movies to Start Meaningful Conversations" by Margaret Pevec: "I still have to work really hard to trust my ideas and to believe I have important things to say."