French student protests highlight issues of adultism and youth rights

Recent high school protests in France have brought renewed attention to the concept of ‘adultisme’—a system of domination by adults over children. Members of the Collectif Enfantiste argue that this power imbalance facilitates various forms of physical, psychological, and sexual violence against minors.

Sociologist Arthur Vuattoux notes a dual phenomenon occurring within the student movement: while some youth are infantilized in public debate to dismiss their legitimacy, others—particularly those from working-class neighborhoods—face police repression typically reserved for adults. This creates a distinction in how different segments of the youth population are treated by society and authorities.