Living with Teenagers in Geneva

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Living with Teenagers in Geneva

Teenagers are legally viewed as minors until the age of 18. Until this time they are considered to be under the authority of their parents or legal guardians.

At a federal level the administrative authority in charge of youth-related issues is the Family, Generations and Society domain of the Federal Social Insurance Office (Office Fédéral des Assurances Sociales). The cantonal youth offices in Switzerland are in charge of protecting youngsters and also support and organise activities for teenagers. Extra curricular activities are organised by the communal youth offices. 

There are a number of websites with information specifically for young people:

• Ciao: for information on many issues including sexuality, health, drugs, racism, training and schooling (in French)
• 147.ch: for children and adolescents that are undergoing a crisis (in French)

Youth Organisations

There are many places to look for activities for young people including schools, colleges and tourist offices. The Geneva canton has a service for children aged 4 to 17, the SLJ (Service des Loisirs de la Jeunesse). It encourages and organises sports and cultural activities. 

• SLJ Service des loisirs de la jeunesse
  At: Rte des Franchises 19, 1203 Geneva
  Tel: +41 (0)22 546 21 00
  Fax: +41 (0)22 546 21 05
  e-mail
  Website (in French)

Scouting for boys and girls is popular and there are English-speaking groups in the Geneva area, catering for youngsters up to the age of 18.

• Geneva Scouts

Exchange Visits and Voluntary Work

Although Switzerland is not an EU member it follows EU policy for youth and children very closely. It also helps fund educational and youth programmes such as YOUTH, LEONARDO and SOCRATES.

The European Youth Portal is a good source of information on projects and provides links to lots of organisations looking for voluntary workers in Belgium and overseas.

For information on voluntary work or to find voluntary work overseas, contact the International Voluntary Service (IVS).

Youth Employment

Teenagers in Geneva have access to a career guidance counselling service. Counsellors can help with career choices and provide information on qualifications needed for a particular job. They can also help students that are having difficulties with their studies or training.

• OFPC - Office pour l'orientation, la formation professionnelle et continue
  At: 6, rue Prévost-Martin, Case postale 192, 1211 Geneva 4
  Tel: +41 (0)22 388 44 00
  Fax: +41 0)22 388 44 70
  Website

in Switzerland employees under the age of 19 and apprentices under the age of 20 are very well protected by law. Teenagers can work from the age of 13 but the activities and number of hours allowed to work are limited. From the age of 15 onwards, young people can be employed for work on a regular basis. There are strict guidelines regarding young workers; they may not undertake any work considered dangerous or work Sundays or at night. From the age of 16 onwards, young people can work at night or on Sundays if they have a special authorisation, which can be obtained from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Secrétariat d'Etat à l'économie, SECO).

• For further information on the types of work that teenagers can carry out and the number of hours they can work: Click here (in French)

Teenagers and Alcohol

Alcohol and its abuse is becoming more and more of a problem in Switzerland with the increase in "binge-drinking". 

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held in English in the Geneva area. There are also daily meetings held in a number of other languages: French, German and Spanish.

• English-speaking contact and helpline for general information
  Tel: +41 (0)22 328 92 86
  AA Geneva website

Teenagers and Drugs

Infodrog can provide support and advice to drug addicts and their families. They can also provide information on the different therapies available.

• Tel: +41 (0)31 376 04 01
  Website (in French)

Teenage Pregnancy

The legal age of consent is 16 in Switzerland, however, sexual relationships are permitted before the age of 16 as long as the age difference between the two people is less than two years. 

A woman with a pregnancy that has advanced less than twelve weeks may complete a form issued by her canton asking for the termination of a pregnancy. 

Each canton has to provide information containing a list of consultation centres and a list of organisations that may be able to help her. She will also be informed about the possibility of giving the child up for adoption at birth.

After twelve weeks, a woman may have an abortion if the doctor believes her "physical integrity" will be threatened or she will face "profound distress" should the pregnancy be allowed to continue to term. The danger to the woman must be shown to increase as the pregnancy advances.

A girl under the age of 16 must have an obligatory consultation with a specialist youth counsellor and sign a form before she may terminate her pregnancy. Swiss law does not require parental consent for minors. 

Cantons have to designate hospitals and medical practices which meet set criteria for offering thorough counselling and carrying out terminations.

The Geneva University Hospital has a family planning centre that offers consultations and advice free of charge.

• At: 47 Bd de la Cluse, 1205 Geneva
  Tel: +41 (0)22 372 55 00
  Website (in French)

Driving

The minimum driving age is 18.

Leisure Time

Holiday camps are organised by the Mouvement de le Jeunesse de la Suisse Romande during the school holidays. 

• Mouvement de le Jeunesse de la Suisse Romande
  At: 8, rue Baulacre - 1202 Genève
  Tel: +41 (0)22 733 55 13
  Fax: +41 (0)22 733 54 49
  e-mail
  Website

There are a number of English-speaking camps and activities in the Geneva region including sports camps, educational camps, drama workshops and music camps.

• For further information see The AngloFILE Geneva Holiday Camps & Summer Schools

Discount Cards

Carte 20 Ans is available to anyone aged under 21 in the Geneva canton and the Annemasse agglomération and entitles the card holder to benefit from reductions at museums, shows, theatres, festivals, exhibitions and cinemas. The card can be bought at anytime and is then valid until the person's 21st birthday.

• For further information: Click here (in French)
• For a list of sales outlets: Click here 

Further Information

• Federal Social Insurance Office
• State Secretariat for Economic Affairs