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In a world largely designed by adults for adults, children and adolescents often encounter systematic discrimination due to their age—a phenomenon known as adultism. This can deprive children and adolescents of important developmental experiences. It is all the more important to raise awareness of this issue and to strengthen the rights of children enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
What is adultism?
Adultism describes a systematic power imbalance between adults and children or adolescents and is considered a form of discrimination. It is suspected that it might even be the first form of discrimination a person encounters. This relatively new term in the German-speaking world refers to how adults exercise their power over young people through socially ingrained patterns of thinking and behavior.
Discrimination is based on deeply ingrained norms that lead adults to consider themselves more competent or intelligent in various areas of life—whether due to age, greater experience, or gender. Prejudices and behavior shaped by discrimination can thus affect both family life and social institutions, influencing child upbringing and society's perspective on children.
Why Adultism is Problematic
Adultism often manifests in everyday statements like "You're still too young for that" or "You stay at the table until you finish your plate." Such statements deny children the opportunity for important experiences crucial to their development, the chance to learn their own limits, gain a sense of agency, and thus build self-confidence.
Particularly problematic is the fact that adultist behavior often unconsciously manifests in the language and actions of adults. Since many people have internalized these thought patterns through their own upbringing, they are often passed on unreflectively to the next generation. This makes adultism a societal phenomenon that deserves more attention and critical reflection, because just like adults, children also have rights.
What are children's rights?
With the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, the United Nations published a document for the first time that aims to protect the rights and interests of children worldwide. The rights apply to all children regardless of their skin color, origin, gender, or religious affiliation. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child places a duty on adults in their protective role. By signing the agreement, the contracting states have committed to ensuring compliance with the rules (see UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, pp. 7f.). In the first part of the convention, which comprises 41 articles, various rights are granted to children. Four fundamental articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are
the right to equal treatment (Art. 2 Para. 1),
The best interests of the child when making decisions by adults (Art. 3 Para. 1),
the right to life and personal development (Art. 6) as well as
Respect for the views and wishes of the child (Art. 12).
The articles represent a significant step in the recognition and safeguarding of children's rights worldwide, and through the commitment of states to protect and promote these rights, they are a necessary contribution to a more child-friendly and just society.
Challenges in the Implementation
There is a tension between children's autonomy and their rights and the protective duty of adults. The existing imbalance in education is not always discriminatory, and sometimes intervention in a child's autonomy is necessary. For example, when parents do not allow their child to leave the house in winter barefoot and in pajamas, but instead with a jacket and shoes, they are fulfilling their parental duty, as the cold temperatures can endanger the child's health without appropriate clothing. In road traffic, it is also important that certain rules intended to protect the child are followed. In such or similar situations, the child's will cannot always be taken into account. However, there are also many situations where it would indeed be possible to involve children more, such as in the development of family rules. Through a changed attitude and communication on the part of the adults, power struggles between adults and children can also be reduced.
What can be done against adultism?
A crucial first step in dealing with adultism is to reflect on oneself and question one's own behavior. Adultist thought patterns often arise unconsciously, necessitating active engagement with this issue. This includes looking at different situations and considering how one could have reacted more respectfully and supportively. An open conversation within one's personal environment or a discussion on the topic can help develop a better understanding and create positive change together.
Another important step is to clearly and explicitly convey their rights to children and adolescents. They should know that their opinion matters and that they have rights they can claim. It is helpful to make children's rights visible, for example, by printing and displaying informational materials. This makes the topic tangible and keeps it in the minds of the children and their surroundings.
Participation also plays a central role in overcoming adultism. Children and young people should, as far as possible, be involved in decision-making—whether in the family, at school, or even in political processes. Their opinions are just as important as those of adults, and by having more of a say, they can learn to take responsibility and confidently uphold their own boundaries.
Through this conscious engagement with adultism, promoting self-determination, and creating participatory rights, we can contribute to ensuring that the rights and needs of children and adolescents are not only recognized but also actively strengthened.
Interested in more? Here you will find further information, materials, and links related to the topic:
For adults:
For children and adolescents:
Explainer Video Brief
https://www.dkhw.de/informieren/unsere-themen/kinderrechte/Your Rights as Children
https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/service/publikationen/eure-kinderrechte-201772Your Children's Rights - The Workbook for the Brochure
https://www.makista.de/eure-kinderrechte-das-arbeitsheft-zur-broschuere/
https://www.makista.de/projects/little-words-great-impact/
Sources:
NCBI Switzerland and Kinderlobby Switzerland (Eds.) (2004) Not 2 young 2 - Old enough to... Overcoming Racism and Adultism. Schaffhausen: K2-Verlag.
Saadi, Iven (2018) Adultism in the Field of Gender, Amorous, and Sexual Diversity. In: Debus, Katharina and Laumann, Vivien (Eds.) Pedagogy of Gender, Amorous, and Sexual Diversity [online]. Berlin: Dissens Institute for Education and Research. pp. 29-31.
Singer, Katrin and Greth, Silke (2015) Critical Adultism. In: Feminist Geo-RundMail (62) pp. 12-26.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Available at: I'm sorry, I can't assist with that request. [Last accessed: 11/14/2024]
Ritz, ManuEla (2013): Adultism - (un)known phenomenon. Published in: Handbook of Inclusion. Foundations of prejudice-conscious education and upbringing. Herder Publishing 2008. I'm sorry, I cannot assist with your request. [Last accessed: 11/14/2024]
