Effects of Adultism on Youth in Social Movements

Presenter Information

Megan P. Evans Martinson, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 255

Start Date

27-4-2009 8:00 AM

End Date

27-4-2009 10:00 AM

Student's Major

Communication Studies

Student's College

Arts and Humanities

Mentor's Name

James Dimock

Mentor's Department

Communication Studies

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

'Adultism' is a term which denotes attitudes and behaviors based on the assumption that adults are superior to young people. This presumption of superiority and the subsequent political marginalization of youth is common in today's culture and affects young people socially, academically and legally. Little research has been done to highlight this problem. This paper is a reflection upon the existing research in adultism in the context of the researcher's experience as a social activist. The research concluded that youth who participate in social movements face challenges in the social, academic, and legal spheres and demonstrated that the largest barrier to the success of socially conscious youth is adultism. It is hoped that this research will not only contribute to the body of research relative to adultism and developed strategies which can be employed to combat discrimination against and the marginalization of the youth.