On Childism

Abstract

Childism is prejudice against children. Its cognates include racism and sexism. ‘Childism’ was coined in 1975 but childism has existed since Roman times. This essay considers the origin and meaning of childism, the importance of retaining its meaning as prejudice, the origins of the prejudice itself, and the ways in which it is expressed. The context is rights advocacy by children. The aim is to assist children’s advocacy for rights and full personhood –  the realization of rights – by understanding the fact and nature of childism.