Youth, citizenship and welfare

Abstract

The central theme of this paper is the question of how the welfare state should deal with young people. It begins by looking at the concept of “citizenship,” both generally and more specifically in relation to the notion of social citizenship for young people. It focuses on the argument that poverty, by hindering full social and economic participation, undermines the citizenship of economically vulnerable groups, including young people and women. It then examines the proposal for a “Charter of Youth Rights,” setting the principles contained in it against relevant recent developments in social rights for young people in Britain. It concludes that while age-based thresholds may be the only practical means of distinguishing between those who should or should not enjoy various levels of adult legal capacity and independence, the lines are too rigidly drawn and reinforce the social exclusion of many of the most vulnerable of young people.