"We exist to defend the civil and human rights of young people in the United States. We believe certain basic rights are intrinsic parts of American citizenship and transcend age or status limits. As the world's leading democracy, the United States should not lag behind other nations in granting first-class citizenship to its young people." -- NYRA Mission Statement
American University Youth Rights Association doesn't believe that petty government
bureaucrats should be restricting your access to the most basic fundamental rights solely based upon your age. We believe you know best as to if you are educated enough to cast a qualified vote in elections. We believe you know whether or not you should drink or whether alcohol is too dangerous for you.
America was founded on the principle that you are a sovereign individual
capable of deciding what to do with your life; the founding fathers would be astounded at the idea that the politicians should run your life because you don't fit their precise standards.
Today virtually every politician presumes to know what's best for everyone. What time you arrive home at night, if you can be a part of the American voting system, and if you can drink is all determined by far-off bureaucrats who don't understand the dynamics or the prospects of your daily life.
We at the American University Youth Rights Association have a different attitude.
We seek to gain basic human rights for young people which have been denied in the United States. We want you to be free to live your life as you see fit -- not as the -- not as the politicians decide for you.
We seek to give you the basic human right and responsibility of making the difficult choices which effect you and your future. We seek to protect young people from the abuses of their often overzealous parents. We seek to allow young people to choose their path in education through a school system that is not mandatory. We seek to allow children to work at age fifteen or younger if that is their desire. And we believe that no one but you knows best how to live your own life.
In summary, we at the American University Youth Rights Association believe
in you.
