The Measure by Nikki Erlick imagines a world where people receive a box containing a string that reveals how long they will live. Despite being a fictional story, The Measure helps us think about the rights that we have.
Here are four important rights that the book highlights and why they matter in real life.
The Right to Healthcare:
In The Measure, people with short strings are turned away from hospitals because their lives are seen as too short to be worth treating. Health insurance companies refuse to cover them, and doctors often refuse to help them, as their deaths are seen as predetermined.
In Wales, the law protects people from being treated unfairly in healthcare. Since 1999, decisions about healthcare in Wales have been made locally rather than by the UK Government. At first, these responsibilities were handled by the National Assembly for Wales. However, in 2006, these powers were transferred to Welsh Ministers by section 162, paragraph 30 and Schedule 11, of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
The 2006 Act states that the Welsh Ministers must make sure that Wales has a strong and effective healthcare system. Their job is to help improve both physical and mental health of the people of Wales, and in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses.
Protection Under the Human Rights Act 1998
Further protection comes from the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which makes it unlawful for public authorities to act in ways that breach your rights. It brings the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law. Several articles of the ECHR are especially relevant when we think about healthcare access:
Article 2: The Right to Life
Article 2 commences at Article 2(1) with the statement: “Everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law.”
This includes not only protecting people from death, but also taking steps to save lives.
Article 3: Prohibition of Torture
Article 3 states: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.”
Deprivation of medical treatment may amount to inhuman and degrading treatment, in breach of this right.
Article 14: Prohibition of Discrimination
Article 14 states: “The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.”
Article 14 ensures that healthcare cannot be denied based on factors like age, race, disability, or—as in The Measure—expected lifespan.
If the events of The Measure were real and people with short strings were refused care because their deaths were seen as unavoidable, these actions would be unlawful. Healthcare providers in Wales must offer services without discrimination.
Think about it:
- Imagine you go to the doctor’s with a serious allergic reaction, but the doctor refuses to treat you because they assume it’s not worth the effort since you have other health conditions. Should that be allowed?
The Right to Work:
In The Measure, people with short strings face discrimination in the workforce. One character tells a co-worker about their short string, only to be fired from their position as a long-term financial planner. The employer made the assumption that because his life was expected to be shorter, he wouldn’t be worth investing in or keeping as an employee.
In real life, laws exist to protect people from being treated unfairly at work.
The Equality Act (EqA) outlines the legal rights of employees with disabilities. Under Section 15, it’s considered discrimination if someone with a disability is treated unfairly because of something connected to their condition.
In other words, if an employee is disadvantaged at work due to a consequence of their disability and there’s no good reason for it, that could be against the law.
If the events of The Measure were real, the unfair dismissal of people based on their short lifespan would be a violation of these laws. Employers cannot simply assume that someone’s worth is tied to how long they are expected to live, and they must provide equal opportunities for all workers, regardless of personal circumstances.
Think about it:
- Imagine a student working at a café is fired after revealing they have diabetes because the boss thinks they might take too many sick days. Does this seem fair?
The Right to Privacy:
In The Measure, different governments react differently when the strings arrive. In some places, the government forced citizens to reveal their string lengths, taking away their right to keep such personal information private. In other places, the opposite occurred where people were not allowed to open their boxes at all, leaving them unaware of how long they would live.
In Wales, this kind of control over personal information simply cannot happen. Laws are in place to protect peoples’ right to privacy. Under Article 8 of HRA, people have the right to keep their personal information private and make their own decisions about what to share. In Wales, citizens cannot be forced to reveal or withhold personal information about their lives, including health details or anything as personal as their string length unless there is a good reason.
This protection also extends to children and young people through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Article 16, which guarantees every child’s right to privacy, including protection from unlawful interference with their personal life, family, or correspondence.
If what happened in The Measure were real, it wouldn’t be allowed in Wales. Laws here protect people’s privacy, so no one could be forced to share their medical information.
Think about it
- Imagine your school announces that everyone must share their medical history in a public assembly. Fair or invasion of privacy?
The Right to Fair Treatment in Financial Services
In The Measure, short-stringers face issues with getting loans for business and homes. One short-stringer chef was denied a loan simply because of his string length, forcing his sibling to raise money on his behalf.
In Wales, financial services such as banks and insurance companies must follow equality laws that prevent unfair treatment. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful for financial service providers—like banks, credit unions, or insurance companies—to discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic, such as age, disability, race, sex, or gender reassignment.
For example, a bank cannot deny someone a loan just because of their age or make assumptions about their financial responsibility based on their background. Instead, providers must assess each person’s individual financial situation fairly. If a person is treated unfairly when trying to access financial services, they may have the right to challenge that treatment under the law.
Think about it
- Imagine you apply for a youth bank account, but the bank says no because they assume you won’t handle money well since you’re young. Is that fair?
Why is this important?
While The Measure is a fictional story, it raises real questions about fairness, discrimination, and human rights. In Wales, laws exist to protect people from being treated unfairly, whether in healthcare, work, privacy, or financial services. Understanding your rights is important because it helps ensure that everyone is treated equally, no matter their circumstances. Knowing your rights means you can stand up for yourself and others. If you ever think something is unfair, talk to a teacher, parent, or legal advisor—because the law is there to protect you!
About the author
I’m Cooper Laforge, a third-year law student at Swansea University. Through my studies, I’ve developed a strong interest in equality and human rights law. Writing this blog has given me the opportunity to explore how legal protections apply in everyday life, including areas such as healthcare, employment, and financial services. Stories like The Measure offer a powerful way to reflect on real-world issues and the importance of fairness. I believe it is essential for young people to understand their rights so they can recognise injustice, speak up against unfair treatment, and contribute to building a more equal society. I’d like to thank Holly Bee from Harding Evans Solicitors for taking the time to read over this blog and offer helpful corrections and feedback.