Minority Group, Children as

Children can be understood as a minority group in different ways. First, they may be understood as a minority in the demographic age structure of a particular society or within a defined territory (i.e., “children as minority”). Children can also be understood as members of a minority group in relation to the majority population, which is generally defined by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, or religious criteria (i.e., “minority children”). Sometimes, children are viewed as a minority within the age-group of childhood (i.e., “children out of place”). Their minority status can also be defined in relation to adults—a social group to which they are frequently subordinated. Sometimes children are known as the last minority—a social group that has not yet achieved equal rights. Finally, children may be ...