Abby Laurie ‘26, Student Life Editor
Around the world, the voices of children are often dismissed, sidelined, or ignored in both public and private environments. Whether it be family decisions, school policies, or broader societal conversations, children’s perspectives are routinely underrepresented or outright neglected. This dismissal is not just an oversight to children’s voices, but it represents a setback to their participation and understanding of the world around them. This societal tendency results in the automatic prioritization of adult’s voices over children’s, ultimately invalidating a child’s stance on important issues.
A significant barrier arises when children attempt to share their stories: a prevailing lack of belief and immediate siding with adult accounts. Two instances where students at South Lyon High School felt like their voices were neglected was when senior, Allen McCallie, recounts a painful instance where his words were reworded by a parent and passed on to the teacher, leading to the teacher siding with the parent. Because of this, Allen McCallie lost a once in a lifetime experience—he was not allowed to walk the field for senior night. This incident left Allen feeling betrayed and felt the trust he had with the teacher was broken. This highlights how easily a child’s testimony can be invalidated, as adult figures default to other adult authority, even when it means disregarding the child’s own account and the trust built between them. Similarly, senior, Elizabeth Dailey, had an issue where an administrator twisted the story to her parent. She felt like her voice was not properly represented and was not as important compared to the administrator. This story represents an act of manipulation, which not only disregards the child’s narrative but actively attempts to break them from trust with their peers.
Furthermore, in many households, decisions—whether about where to live, what to eat, or in which activities to participate—are often made solely by the adults in the family. These decisions, such as what kind of clothes a child is allowed to wear or what time they are supposed to be home by, are commonly made for the betterment of the child, hoping to protect them or care for them; however, the idea that children are too young or inexperienced to have a say in such matters is what creates these conflicts within our society. For example, senior Jessica Lee highlights a generational divide in communication: “My parents grew up in a different environment than me, so when I’m trying to communicate with them, they don’t reciprocate the same level of empathy or understanding.” While she notes this conflict has subsided a bit with age, it points to a potential gap where children feel their perspectives are not fully grasped by adults. Her assertion that “understanding between kids and adults only converge through age” suggests that as children mature, they may develop better communication tools or adults may become more receptive, but younger years can be marked by feelings of neglect due to this communication gap.
This feeling of being unheard is not confined to the home. Senior Aria Allman, who is involved in theater outside of school, shares her frustration: “I work only with adults, and they all don’t listen to me because of my age, even if it is about safety.” As the stage manager, she is in charge, yet has to “work harder to prove that I’m meant to be there” simply to perform her duties and ensure everyone’s safety. This demonstrates how age can impede a child’s ability to exercise responsibility and contribute effectively, even in professional settings. Not only does it impede responsibility, but, as noted by an article from ScienceDirect, neglected children’s language development falls below the average, creating gaps within speech and language.
The neglect of children’s voices in various settings—from family discussions to professional environments—reveals a societal issue that undermines their understanding of the world. By actively listening to and valuing their perspectives, society can foster a more collective environment where children feel empowered to participate and contribute meaningfully. It is important that adults recognize children’s voices, not just for the sake of the children themselves, but for the betterment of society as a whole.
Lyon Life 