Dialogical self

Gender studies

Engineering

Sociology

Psychology

Human rights

Political science

Work (physics)

Relation (database)

Youth work

Youth participation

Youth studies

Public relations

Computer science

Database

Social psychology

Mechanical engineering

Children & Society

This article argues that the right of young people to participate in decisions being made about them forms the basis for professional youth work practice. The authors consider the nature of ‘participation’ and its relation to human rights, and introduces the concept of ‘adultism’ and the challenges for youth workers combatting ‘adultist’ beliefs and practices in the work of participation. The paper considers the benefits and limitations of youth participation models, and addresses the relationship between rights‐based participation practice, and critical pedagogy (dialogical) in youth work.

Youth participation: Adultism, human rights and professional youth work