Rethinking the Place of Children and Youth

According to the annual United Nations declarations based on the Human Development Index (HDI), Canada remains one of the best places in the world in which to live. Ironically, this declaration of socio-economic superiority does not extend to the young people in the society. Although post-industrial societies like Canada and the United States may be outstanding in terms of human development, they may also be violating the human rights of their children and youth by neglecting their basic needs. In this article, the author discusses how society and the government allow mass media to portray a dim political/cultural view of youth. These dim views of youth have multiple specific consequences. Instead of working to solve the sources of youth and child suffering, society and the government remain punishing and parochial in their objectives for and care of children. The authors suggest that a new paradigm shift of education that is committed to enfranchising children and youth is needed. This new policy should situate itself at the heart of all advocacy for children--one that teaches children the value of their voices. (Contains 15 notes.)