Movement

The "youth rights movement", also described as "youth liberation", is a nascent grass-roots movement whose aim is to fight against ageism and for the civil rights of young people - those "under the age of majority", which is 18 in most countries. It is ostenisbly an effort to combat pedophobia and ephebiphobia throughout society by promoting youth voice, youth empowerment and ultimately, intergenerational equity through youth/adult partnerships.^[1]

As opposed to "children's rights" groups, which tend to advocate entitlements for young people and favor paternalistic handling of minors by government, youth rights organizers seek to enhance the role of young people in society through youth empowerment and equal rights.^{[citation needed]}

History

First emerging as a distinct movement in the 1930s, youth rights have long been concerned with civil rights and intergenerational equity. Tracing its roots to youth activists during the Great Depression, youth rights has influenced the civil rights movement, opposition to the Vietnam War, and many other movements. Since the advent of the Internet youth rights is gaining predominance again.

Main article: History of Youth Rights in the United States

Distinction between youth rights and children's rights

Differences between calls for youth rights and children's rights are not the same. The children's rights movement advocates changes that are often restrictive towards children, with accusations of paternalism, pedophobia, and adultism often leveled at their efforts^{[citation needed]}. A comparison of 1970s youth liberation literature and child rights literature from groups such as the Children's Defense Fund demonstrate a clear distinction.^[2]