Youth do not replace elders or leadership roles.

Limits on Youth Authority

Category: Tsm’syen Law Page status: Working

Purpose

This page records a boundary within Tsm’syen law concerning youth participation. It affirms that youth do not replace elders or leadership roles, while remaining fully included in learning and preparation.

This page is declarative and does not assign authority, offices, or leadership roles.

Principle

Youth do not replace elders or leadership roles.

Meaning

• Youth participation does not displace elder authority or leadership responsibility.
• Continuity depends on succession, not substitution.
• Learning occurs alongside, not in place of, leadership.

Elders and Leadership

• Elders carry legal memory, balance, and interpretive responsibility.
• Leadership roles hold decision-making authority and accountability.
• These roles remain intact while youth prepare.

Youth Participation

• Youth observe, assist, and participate according to readiness.
• Participation supports preparation without assuming authority.
• Youth presence strengthens continuity without altering structure.

Protection

• Clear boundaries protect youth from premature burden.
• Boundaries protect elders and leaders from erosion of authority.
• Protection supports long-term governance strength.

Continuity

• Succession is prepared through teaching and witnessing.
• Replacement occurs only through lawful process.
• Continuity requires respect for existing roles.

Limits

• This principle does not exclude youth from learning or participation.
• It does not prevent future leadership through lawful succession.
• It does not diminish the value of youth perspectives.

Cross References

• Youth and the Future Line
• Observation Before Decision-Making
• Protection From Premature Burden
• Readiness and Exposure to Responsibility
• Protection and Long-Term Governance Strength
• The Future Line
• Continuity and Transmission
• Elders as Legal Memory
• Ayaawx
• Adaawx

To Be Developed

• Succession processes
• Recognition of readiness
• House and clan leadership pathways
• Source citations