Living with Teenagers in Zürich

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Living with Teenagers in Zürich

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. 

• Federal Social Insurance Office
  At: Effingerstrasse 20, 3003 Berne
  Tel: 031 322 90 11
  Fax: 031 322 78 80
  Website

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 (Gemeindehaus, Sozialdienst). 

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

• RAO: An informative site with political and social views for teenagers in Switzerland (in German)
• Organisation for Swiss Youth in Parlament (Dachverband Schweizer Jugendparlamente -DSJ) (German and French)
• Young Swiss Scientists (Schweizer Jugend forscht)
  At: Gebäude 59G, Stauffacherstrasse 65, 3014 Berne
  Tel: 031 377 71 00
  Fax: 031 377 71 01 
  e-mail 
  Website (in German)
• School.Net: A site for teens and kids in Switzerland with information on leisure activities, entertainment schooling and entertainment (in German, French and Italian)
• Youth Counselling (Jugendberatung): Information and answers to questions on problems at school and work, military questions, health, sexual abuse, conflicts in relationships, suicide, drugs and alcohol. Also a list of helplines available for teenagers

Scouting and Guides

There are various Scouts and Girl Guides groups in Switzerland, for both teenagers and young kids. Jubla, Jugi, Blauring, Jungwacht (similar to Scouts, Guides and Brownies in anglophone countries) organise weekly meetings and events.

• Boy Scouts of America Zürich 
• Swiss Guide and Scout Movement

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.

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

Youth Employment

Teenagers in Zürich, Basel, Berne, Lucerne and Zug 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.

• Berufsberatung (Career Counselling) (in German, French and Italian)

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 (Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft - 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 German)

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 German-speaking Switzerland. There are also daily meetings held in a number of other languages including French, German and Spanish.

• For information on AA meetings in English: Click here

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.

• Infodrog
  At: Eigerplatz 5, Postfach 460, 3000 Bern 14
  Tel: 031 376 04 01
  Fax: 031 376 04 04
  e-mail office@infodrog.ch
  Website (in German, French and Italian)

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

Each canton has to provide information containing a list of consultation centres and a list of organisations that may be able to help a pregnant girl or woman. She will also be informed about the possibility of giving the child up for adoption at birth. 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 Zürich University Hospital has a family planning centre that offers consultations and advice.

• At: Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich
  Tel: 044 255 54 54
  Website

Driving

The minimum driving age is 18.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Getting a Swiss Driving Licence

Leisure Time

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

• See The AngloFILE Zürich Holiday Camps & Summer Schools

Student Discounts

On presentation of their student identity, Ausbildungs- oder Schülerausweis, students are entitled to discounts and reduced prices at a number of locations, including museums and cinemas.

Further Information

• Federal Social Insurance Office
• State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

0904cr