Are you treated equally?
From July 31 to September 09
Our debate theme for this month is respect
The Government has published a Green Paper to set out how it is planning to reform our laws on discrimination.
Discrimination is unfair treatment of a person or group because of something about them, like their race, gender, age, sexuality or disability.
The Government will be deciding if the law should protect people from age discrimination where they buy or are given goods, facilities and services. But this new law, if it is introduced, will not cover children and young people.
We’re asking if you think children and young people get equal treatment in society – in shops, at the doctor or dentist, in community centres, in parks, at home, and anywhere else you can think of.
Should the law protect people from discrimination because of their age, no matter if they are older or younger?
Do you think you have been treated differently? Tell us where this was (for example at school, at home, in a shop, on a bus or train). Do you think it was because of your age?
What people or places most often discriminate against children and young people because of their age?
Can age discrimination be a good thing?
Tell us what you think – join in the debate!
On Monday, August 06, 2007 Lauren said:
I think young people should definitely be covered – what about them being under 18 makes them any less of a person than those people over 18? We all deserve to be treated equally… You can’t make a law outlawing discrimination apart from certain types!
On Thursday, August 09, 2007 Kalika said:
I recently made a complaint at a local cinema and was shocked by the way I was treated. Not only was I left waiting for over 20 minutes before I was seen by the manager but staff refused to be polite and spoke to me and my friends rather aggressively. At the same time an adult complained and was seen by the manager instantly and the members of staff were very polite and understanding towards her. I was appaled at how our complaint was handled and felt unfairly treated just because of my age. I’m sure lots of other young people have had similar experiences and think that something must be done. Everybody deserves to be treated equally regardless of their age.
On Friday, August 10, 2007 Kevin said:
For the UK’s society to advance yes there needs to be equality. There needs to be equal protection for young, old or middle age. I think that the law also needs to include media representation as young people generally are classed as ‘yobs’ and it adds a negative image to all young people.
Mostly its the places for anyone in my area that discriminate against children and young people such as cinema, swimming pool, general other leisure facilities and the shopping mall!!!
I went in to a shoppimg mall with a hoodie on not knowing that they had been banned (dont ask!) and was asked by a security guard to take my jumper off not put the hood down, i did as he asked but i questionned him as a lady (about 30) walked in with the same and his response (well i trust her more than your sort) WHAT!
Equality needs to be publicised and improved and poeples rights about equality i feel need to be known even more!!!
ahhh i feel better now 
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1)The law shounld protect everybody equally.
2)Many shop staff in my local area treat all young people as if they are all out to make trouble or steal something, this is mainly young people aged between 11-18 (high school students). In some local shops they have banned young people completly because of this negative image they assume goes with all young people from the few minority of images seen in the media.
3)Locally it is mainly shop staff discriminate but also some older members of society, who also have no trust towards young people due to what they have seen in the media.
4)NO!!!! because it singles out the more vunrealbe people (young people and O.A.P’s)
I think the only good part of age related stuff is that if your under/over a certain age then you are not allowed to work for your own safety.