ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Timeline of young people's rights in the United States

The United States is a nation that supports the rights of young people. This means that over time, young people have been given more and more rights that protect them from unfair laws, rules, and practices. To understand these rights better, here’s a simple timeline showing how young people’s rights have changed in the United States over time.

In 1824, the Supreme Court said that children have the same legal rights as adults. This made it much easier for children to receive protection when being taken advantage of by people or companies.

In 1925, children gained the right to vote in certain states if they were 21 years old. This gave young people more of a say in how their states were run.

In 1929, the United States passed laws to make it illegal for people under 18 to be employed in dangerous jobs. This made it so that young people could not be taken advantage of just because of their age.

In 1941, the United States passed the first laws that protected young people from discrimination. This made it illegal for employers to discriminate against someone based on their age, ethnicity, gender, or other traits.

In 1966, the United States passed laws that stopped children from being put in adult prisons. This meant that young people could be kept safe if they were arrested.

In 1975, the United States passed laws that gave young people more control over their health care decisions. This allowed young people to make important decisions about their own health without having to ask their parents or get permission.

In 1996, the United States passed laws that allowed young people to stay in their homes instead of being put into foster care. This gave young people more control over their own lives.

The United States has come a long way in protecting the rights of young people. As you can see, young people now have more rights and freedoms than ever before.