Adult Centrism: Definition and Meaning

Adult centrism, or adultism as it is similarly recognized, is a bias that targets younger individuals more harshly. There is no question that children and adolescents require adult direction and administration, but this bias goes much further than that since it systematically rejects, oppresses, or denigrates children and adolescents because of their young age. The notion that older people are fundamentally superior to younger people or even that older people's rights always have to take precedence over those of offspring and adolescents is at the core of adult centrism.

What does Adult Centrism Entail?

Adult centrism happens invisibly. However, not everyone is aware of the views that devalue the individuality, potential, and value of children and adolescents.

These are a few instances −

• Children's suggestions or thoughts being minimized or despised.

• Assuming that children don't grasp anything merely because they are young.

• Excluding their sentiments and emotions from consideration.

• Criticizing someone for being emotional, being mistaken, or wanting attention.

• Not paying attention to them when they talk and believing that what they are saying or what they are thinking is absurd.

• Ignoring their projects or aims and giving them no serious consideration.

• Taking into account the fact that every kid and adolescent is taught to do what an adult commands.

Adult Centrism's Genesis?

It includes −

• Since for a long time the idea of childhood was different from what it is today and children were instead preserved as "diminutive adults" in the procedure of development, where they typically had to assist and work on the same tasks as adults, adult centrism has been a problem throughout much of human history. Since children's fashion did not establish itself until at least the seventeenth century, if not even later, youngsters and girls used to dress in a manner that was extremely similar to that of adults.

• Many historians and sociologists agree that the period of the industrial revolution was crucial for improvements in how children and adolescents were viewed, in large part because of technological advancements that allowed kids to be expendable at work, giving them more time to play, have fun, explore, learn, and—most importantly—interact with other kids their own age. All of these activities and others of the same kind are very relevant in terms of how children and teens are treated today.

Everyday Adult Centricity

We merely need to sharpen our vision because adult centrism is everywhere. Families are where this prejudice is most prevalent, whether it is between parents and children or even between older and younger siblings. Adultism, on the other hand, can be observed in some companies when older employees despise their younger coworkers for being too inexpert.

You are too young to understand, or "As you grow up, you will understand," are perhaps phrases we first heard when we were diminutive or even say to our own children.

We must comprehend and pay attention. While it's true that as adults, we have a wealth of life experience, we shouldn't disregard our children's abilities and potential. A child is also entitled to express their viewpoint. We also work with them to steer them rather than minimize them. We must also offer them a voice, engage in dialogue with them, and respond to their inquiries.

UNICEF created a brochure in 2013 to educate the public about adult centrism. It asserted that we should consider our attitudes about adultery. We will be able to better teach and mentor our children as a result.

How to Spot and Combat Adult Centrism

Adult centrism and authoritarianism frequently go hand in hand. It also goes hand in hand with the type of excessive caution that many parents take. We are aware that this undermines the child's autonomy, sense of self, and psychological development. In actuality, a mindset like this harms the child's social and emotional development in addition to being discriminatory.

It should not come as a surprise that the University of Bergamo in Italy developed a scale to measure adult centrism in order to recognize this bias in thinking among caregivers, members of the community, etc.

Zone of Adult Centrism

It has been argued that adult-centrism in occupational therapy "leads researchers to underestimate children's capacities." This attitude is demonstrated, in the opinion of one researcher, when researchers feel they are experts on children since they once were children. Also, studies have demonstrated that this causes adults to maintain their own point of view, which in turn fosters adultism and prejudice against youngsters.

About occupational therapy: "Adult centrism has evolved in the family therapy literature to define the tendency of adults to perceive the world from an adult perspective and, in doing so, do not comprehend or appreciate how children and young people are viewing things.

The importance of adult centrism is also rising in the sectors of community sociology, education, mental health, and child empowerment. According to one expert on international affairs, Children are considered "the future," and as such, according to the adult centrism pillar, they are not yet fully developed people who are able to make decisions. Being those who are "beyond their prime," the elderly are sometimes viewed as a burden on society.

This idea leads to the statement that "education leaders, teachers, school board members, and modification advocates. demand for the equivalent enhancements, the similar responsibilities, and the identical responsibilities that have always been called for: increased standardization, decreased student motivation, and increased teacher attrition."

Conclusion

When we talk about adult centrism, we're talking about a mode of thinking that sometimes distorts how we see kids and teenagers. One illustration of this is the idea that they are untrained, passive, and lacking in autonomy. When we see them in this light, we are willing to do everything for them and go to unhealthy lengths to protect them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who did coin Adultism?

Ans. It is believed that the word “adultism” was first used by Patterson Du Bois in 1903, and later in 1929, it can be seen in French psychology literature, describing the influence of adults over children.

Q2. What fundamental premise does Adultism rest upon?

Ans. Adultism is a term used to describe actions and viewpoints that operate under the presumption that adults are superior to children and can make decisions for them without their consent. Social structures, rules, practices, and attitudes all support this mistreatment.

Q3. What is Ageism?

Ans. The practice of discriminating against individuals based on their age is known as "ageism." Ageism entails having unfavorable stereotypes about people of various ages, just like racism and sexism do. Both young and old are impacted by ageism. Several contexts and circumstances, such as the workplace and the healthcare industry, might exhibit age discrimination.

Q4. What is Adultery?

Ans. When a married individual engages in sexual activity with a partner who is not their spouse, it is considered adultery. It is, in other words, engaging in sexual activity with a person other than own spouse. The Bible makes several references to adultery, which has historically been seen as both a social and spiritual sin.