RE:AFFIRM HUMAN RIGHTS
"The United States has built a culture that deems people under the age of 18 (children/youth) as inferior to people over the age of 18 (adults). U.S. culture centers safety for young people and from young people; either needing protection from society, or society needing protection from youth, labeling them “violent, criminal, drop outs, gangsters”. Additionally, young people are invisibilized and de-centered in laws and policies. They have no rights to vote, own property, or legally establish business on one’s own. And yet, society expects youth to be fully contributing citizens when they turn 18. A concept shift from keeping youth safe to letting youth lead requires an analysis of how power flows between youth and adults. As done with any marginalized group, young people must have a pathway to participate in discussions that directly affect their lives." Ashley Hare, Working with Youth
