The impact of discrimination in the family structure can have wide negative implications on others. It is hard to help a young person in the situation, as their self-esteem would be low. This is also a high emotional subject and time for them, as a parent or sibling this would be a difficult time as the young person comes to terms with the implications of discrimination.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
The aim of this report is to find how widespread discrimination is towards our young people in the society today. How will we combat this and the procedures that should be implemented to help young people with the difficulties they face about discrimination against them? The report has also looked at statistics that back up the argument about young people and petty crime, which has fallen to 61.5% in 2001, teenage pregnancy, which has risen, and the use of recreational drugs in teenage people.
METHOD
While researching this subject the researcher used Primary Data by longitudinal interviews with a social worker from youth workers at the council about the issue of ageism against our young people. She also used statistics from government reports. She also distributed a questionnaire sheet in schools aimed at this particular age group, showing the results on graphs (See Appendix 2).
During the research on this subject, She used secondary data from books, Internet websites and reports from the local council. She also researched different discrimination acts, to see how these affect young people. There were also a number of youth groups, which the researcher looked at, whom had the aim of helping with the issue of discrimination towards our young people.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The researcher looked at an article from community care magazine dated 16-22 Sept 1999, written by Heather Stephens with the title “Is Straw scare mongering over youth crime”.
The authors opinion was that the government is over-emphasising youth crime to pursue these laws and get them rushed through parliament so they have more control over our young people. The government have found a lack of support from social workers on the issue of curfews for our young people. There is the view that this could be in breech of the UN convention of child rights. The resources for such scheme, should be invested in youth projects and training.
The researchers opinion was in agreement with the author because of the lack in facilities for young people today. There should be more help for young people to develop skills for their future, with help from the government. People in power tend to lay blame at the door of people less fortunate than others, which is an unfair bias for our young people (See Appendix 3).
The researcher looked at an article on The National Youth Agency Website, about a debate on youth policy on the 9 January 2001 in Parliament. If you would like to read the whole debate please go to website:
The contributions towards the debate where made by Vernon Coaker, Hilton Dawson, Lembit Opik, Julie Morgan, Phil Hope and Tim Boswell. These all had the aim that the government wasn’t doing enough to involve young people in decisions making. They also had the view that young people where powerless and vulnerable, because they are at a disadvantage to adults. There was also the contradiction that at 16 you could do some things and not others. Our young people need to have more control of whom government policies are aimed at and their viewpoints should be more valid and not pushed to one side. The parliament response was from Paul Boateng, whom agreed that young people views tend to be ignored and that the government will initiate a process for young people to get involved in policy making. The government has started this by introducing Quality Protects, which is a system for young people’s voices to be heard. This problem for young people is difficult and will need considerable resources.
The researcher agreed with all of the issues stated in the youth policy, as this would give young people more of a voice in government. Helping with policymaking and having adults look at their viewpoints. This would seriously help young people today. As their needs have been largely ignored. The other issues which should be looked at, which should be whether a young person is adult at 16 or 18 years of age, there should be more continuity on this subject by the government. A change in age policy may be an issue for the youth policy to take up with the government (See Appendix 4).
OBSERVATIONS/DISCUSSION
In this research the researcher looked at how the different discrimination acts and legislation helps in our society today. This also included youth policy and various youth organisations. The convention for child rights was also useful in this study. The questionnaire that was aim at young people highlighted the how little they know on this subject and the help they can get to combat discrimination.
There is also the judgement that there is a high sex and racial discrimination toward our afro-Caribbean teenage males in the schools system today. Pregnant teenagers also face a larger amount of discrimination, which doesn’t help with their circumstances. They face wide criticism and have difficulties in schools. Instead of this negative impact, schools should be helping these young people gain self-respect and control of their own destiny.
CHILDREN ACT 1989
This is there to protect our children and give them the right’s to be heard. Understand the issues of their welfare in our adult governed world. The welfare of the child remains of paramount importance. The act came into force in England in 1991 (See Appendix 5).
Section 22(5) of the Children Act 1989, states that Local Authorities must give due consideration to the wishes and feelings of the child, having regard to her/his age and understanding. It also requires Local Authorities to give due consideration to the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background (See Appendix 6).
THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1988
Every person has basic rights, which are outlined in the universal declaration of Human Rights. If anyone felt that their human right was violated they could bring their case to the human rights court (See Appendix 7).
RACIAL DISCRIMINATIONS ACT 1975
Under this act, it is against the law to treat someone unfairly or harass him/her because of his/her race, colour, descent or national/ethnic background (See Appendix 8).
SEX DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975
Under this act it is rendered that “certain kinds of sex discrimination or on the grounds of marriage is unlawful”. With the common coal of working towards the elimination of such discriminations and promoting equality (See Appendix 9).
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995
This act is different from the sex and racial discrimination acts in many ways. The discrimination only happens when someone ii treated unfairly on the basis on their disability (See Appendix 10).
THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
Is one of the largest established children’s charities in the country? It aims to be a positive force for change in the lives of our children and young people, whose circumstance are particularly vulnerable. These would involve centres where young people and their families could go for advice and support (See Appendix 11).
UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
These sets out internationally agreed minimum standards for children and young people, and cover all the rights of the child (See Appendix 12).
Article.1. The convention refers to “the child” as being anyone under the age of 18.
Article.2. Of the convention refers to non-discrimination, stating that the rights of the convention should apply to all children, without exception.
Article.12. Of the convention addresses children’s rights to be consulted and express their views in matters, which affect them, and to have their views taken seriously.
YOUTH POLICY
A debate on Youth Policy took place on 9th January 2001 in Westminster, which covered a wide range off issues: school exclusions, youth poverty, teenage pregnancy and voting age. This kind of debate doesn’t happen in parliament very often and when it does, the assumption is always in stereotyping younger people with negativity and being problematic. This debate however, took a more positive look a younger people (See also Appendix 4).
“All organisations which provide direct services to children and young people, or whose services impact on the lives of children and young people, have a responsibility to make those services consistent with teenagers the UN Convention” (Willow, C. 1997)
SUMMARY
The researcher found that there is limited knowledge of discrimination towards our young people. Through looking at the questionnaires she also found out that these young people have limited knowledge of the right’s and the system that is in place for them.
The education system is letting down our young people by not implementing systems to help combat discrimination and be seen to resolve issues that happen in our schools our young people wouldn’t be left in this position. They need consistency for discrimination not to happen in our schools today. There are certain implementations that need to be carried out with the view of helping our young people combat discrimination. The list below will give some help towards this coal:
IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
- Charter for young people
- Let children air their own views
- Improvements in schools for solving this issue
- Confidential counselling in schools
- Police treatment of children improved and with more respect
- Equal rights for all
- Outline services, awareness and enforcement of rights
- Follow up and monitoring are the only way’s to ensure these areas are being covered
- Healthcare should be monitored and young people made aware of healthcare issues
- Advocacy for young people
CONCLUSION
Schools have a great responsibility towards our young people to teach them the values of society and discrimination. They need to teach young people the value of self-esteem and respect towards others. This way the might not discriminate against others themselves and learn values from social lessons at school. The number of exclusions from schools directed at the minority of teenagers shows an element of discriminations. These children need more moral support to help with the difficulties they have. It is not enough to recognise the problem but to form a solution to solve them for the better. When looking at this research she found that, prison is often used as warehouses for some of the country’s most damaged and troubled young people. Rehabilitation should be available for them; they should also receive help and support, not the hard line of a prison, which doesn’t help them.
More than 100 children and young people run away from home everyday. This wouldn’t happen if they had the necessary support and help.
The researcher found that ageism is mostly aimed at the over 50’s age group and not towards younger people in our society. There is a great view that people do not accept that discrimination exists towards teenagers.
SELF – EVALUATION
Initially I found it difficult to understand what was wanted in the report, there was a bit of confusion from me and I had to ask for help in the outlay of my report format. I tried to overcome my stumbling blocks and work my way through them. When I had chosen my subject and knew where I wanted to go with the way the report should be written, found that things came together much more smoothly.
I did however find it difficult to obtain information on the subject of ageism against teenagers, as the assumption is that this kind of discrimination only happens to the over 50’s.
I found that throughout doing this research and writing the report, that I learnt a lot about the different discrimination acts and how to use them in different situations. I gave information from one of this act to a friend, who used the information I gave her to help her teenage kids. I learnt some things that where useful for me in having a teenager myself.
I have also learnt a lot about formatting a report document, as did some research-using council reports on youth policies.
Using the computer on this report has given me a better understanding of the way using Microsoft word and excel has help pull the report all together. I have needed a lot of practise to use the computer to my advantage.
I feel more confident now about my work and the abilities that I have and shouldn’t under estimate myself.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bashing Youth: Media Myths about Teenagers: 2003: Internet Address:
Growden, N: Reports from Children and Young People’s Rights Services at MK Council: 2000/2001:
Hendrick, J: Child Care Law for Health Professionals: 1993: Radcliffe Medical Press Ltd: Oxford.
Hendrick, J: Legal Aspects of Child Health Care: 1997: Chapman & Hall: London.
Moonie, N: Health and Social Care, third edition: 2000: Heinemann Educational Publishers: Oxford.
Posner, G, J: The Teenager’s guide to the Law: 1995: Cavendish Publishing: London.
Rack, P: Race, Culture and Mental Disorders: 1993: Routledge: London.
Ryan, M: The Children Act 1989 ‘Putting in to Practice’ second edition: 1998: Ashgate Publishing Ltd: Aldershot, England.
Social Exclusion Unit: Why are younger people excluded: 2003 Internet address:
Spicker, P: Social Policy ‘Themes and Approaches’: 1995: Prentice Hall/Harvester Wheatsheaf: Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
The Natural Child Project: Human rights for young and old: 2003: Internet address:
CONTENTS OF APPENDIX
