Youth is a wonderful thing.
What a crime to waste it on children!-- GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
We can appreciate the humor in George Bernard Shaw's comment. Even children might smile. But if the words Jews, blacks, or gays were substituted for the word children, prejudice would be instantly apparent-and resented.
The fact that we do not recognize this slur against children illustrates the ingrained nature of juvenile ageism. Even when I point this out, you may still discount its importance -- after all we are just referring to children, and they are not protesting.
We are well acquainted with racism and sexism, and we are beginning to acknowledged ageism against the elderly. But the other form of ageism -- juvenile ageism -- is virtually unknown. It is concealed by our rhetoric that idealizes children as we largely ignore their interests in the affairs of the adult world. It is expressed when we view childhood and parenting solely through the eyes of adults.
The prejudice of juvenile ageism, which is as virulent as racism and as pervasive as sexism, is the greatest barrier to recognizing the interests of children in our political processes, in child caring systems, and in
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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: Licensing Parents:Can We Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect?.
Contributors: Jack C. Westman - Author.
Publisher: Insight Books.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1994.
Page number: 123.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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