Adultification: risk factors, harmful effects and implications for nursing practice

Adultification, whereby children and young people are perceived as older or more mature than they actually are, disproportionately affects those from minority ethnic backgrounds. It can also occur in other contexts, for example when children and young people are placed in a position of adult responsibility. Nurses have a duty to support and protect children and young people, which includes protecting them from adultification and the negative effects it can have on health and well-being. This article discusses strategies nurses can use to prevent adultification - such as developing awareness, avoiding adultifying language and listening to children and young people - and actions to take when suspecting adultification from colleagues.