Youth Liberation

Introduction

Youth liberation seeks to free young people from the oppressive bondage of age, whether in the home, at the school, or throughout the community. Some organizations are calling for anarchy, some for reformed social standards, but all have a common aim: the elimination of adultism and age-based discrimination. The ideas behind youth liberation are taking hold in many communities around the world today.

Point to Ponder

"Kids, I wish every mom and dad would make a speech to their teenagers and say, 'Kids, be free, be whatever you are, do whatever you want to do, just as long as you don't hurt anybody. And remember kids, I am you friend.'" - from the musical Hair.

Organizations and Websites

Youth Liberation Association of Canada

"Youth rights through youth advocacy." The YLAC represents its members by lobbying government officials and issuing press releases, as well as by educating the public about the civil rights of youth in Canada.

Youth Liberation Front "Get free - drop out! An insurrectionary youth liberation resource". This site includes a variety of essays and recommended reading lists.

YouthLib.Com - Tools for Youth Liberation Activists

This site by Sven Bonnichsen includes his writing on age, ageism and adultism. Fascinating and effective insights into the dominating culture of adultocentrism.

Free Kids

“Some people think kids are too stupid to vote. Kids are too selfish, self-centered and irresponsible - grownups say…” Opening quote from this personal page focusing on children’s suffrage.

Youth Liberation

An article about a 1970s youth-led publishing group in Ann Arbor, Michigan that printed and sent youth liberation pamphlets and articles to communities across the U.S.

Freechild Resources

The Freechild Project's Ephebiphobia Page

With links to sources to fight the extreme fear of youth throughout society, including ZNet's Youth Watch and more.

The Freechild Project's Adultism Page

Features a unique discussion of Adultism. Get resources on fighting adultism here!

Publications and Other Media

Student and Youth Organizing, Second Edition. A Youth Liberation Pamphlet. A 1977 publication about Youth Liberation, a youth-led publishing group in Ann Arbor, Michigan that closed in 1979.

"Youth liberation" An article from Slingshot magazine.

Youth Liberation of Ann Arbor: Young, Gifted and Media-Savvy
"In Ann Arbor (MI) in the 1970's... ageism was critiqued as an institutional force of oppression akin to racism or sexism. Kids were a hot topic, not only because they were controlled by institutions in which they had no say but also because they often had the energy and gumption to combat it." A comprehensive history of a historically important organization from the 1960s called Youth Liberation, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Events

Florida Youth Liberation Conference
includes detailed information about the conference held in Gainesville in December 2000.

Minnesota Teen Liberation Conference
information about the conference held in Minneapolis in June 2001.

Summer Youth Liberation Institute Freedom School Based on the Mississippi Freeom Schools Movement of the 60s, the SYLI Freedom School was an intensive 7-week internship focused on developing intergenerational, multi-racial, and gender balanced leadership for social justice and institutional change around issues affecting youth and families.

Fight the Power Youth Liberation Conference Organized by Voices of Liberation in collaboration with The Legacy Mentoring Program and Brothers about Change, this event in October 2008 featured speakers, panels, workshops, and performances.

The Freechild Project

Survey of North American Youth Rights, or SNAYR,

is brought to you in partnership with the National Youth Rights Association

For more information visit the Youth Rights Network

Return to the SNAYR homepage