THE YOUNG PERSON’S

BILL OF RIGHTS

In Celebration of the First Annual
NATIONAL YOUTH RIGHTS DAY
April 14, 2010

Robert Epstein, Ph.D.

PREAMBLE:  All persons shall be judged by their competence and maturity, not by their gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or age.

1. All persons, of every age, shall have the right to free speech guaranteed under the First Amendment to the Constitution.
2. All persons, of every age, shall have the right to due process guaranteed under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution.
3. All persons, of every age, who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity, shall have a right to privacy.
4. All persons, of every age, who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity, shall have the right to exercise the civic duties expected of all citizens, such as serving in the military, serving on a jury and voting.
5. All persons, of every age, who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity, shall have the right to make decisions about their own happiness and well-being, such as decisions affecting appearance, dress, body, and physical and mental health.
6. All persons, of every age, who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity, shall have the right to engage in risky behavior legally permissible for adults, such as driving, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
7. All persons, of every age, who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity, shall have basic rights associated with property ownership and work, such as the right to sign contracts, the right to start a business, the right to seek employment and the right to make a will.
8. No person, of any age, shall be subjected to a curfew simply because of his or her age.
9. All persons, of every age, who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity, shall have the right to make decisions about participating in social institutions, such as decisions regarding religion, education and marriage.
10. All minors who can demonstrate appropriate competence and maturity shall have the right to become emancipated from their parents or guardians and to acquire full majority rights.

©2009,2010 Dr. Robert Epstein. All rights reserved.  10-22-09 rev.