In my Social Policy Class today we talked about Youth Development Programs and how they make a difference in the lives of adolescents in this hard and confusing world they grow up in. We addressed some areas of need that make these programs important for beneficial change when looking at behaviors, emotions, spiritually, and even physically. My professor talked about three specific needs for adolescents that should be met through Development Programs. We then talked about how often the "Needs" identified for youth do not come directly from the youth themselves, but adults who think they know adolescence.
My professor identified these three needs of adolescents....
1. Safety
2. Caring Relationships
3. Connections to the Larger Society
Do you agree with these needs? What do you think Youths would identify as their "Needs?" If you were to develop a program for Adolescents to meet their needs, what needs would you be striving to meet?
posted by Justin and Dawn Beck @ Monday, February 19, 2007
5 comments
5 Comments:
I would tweak it slightly and say Loving relationships. But I agree adolescents are looking for safe relationships with adults(society at large) and they are seeking to belong.
Dawn - good stuff...
I think adolecents - and it's different for a middle school kid than high school or college student - are really trying to figure out 3 things (which might be different than needs): Identity - who am I; Intimacy - how do I relate to others; and autonomy (for later adolecents) - how do I become my own person...I'm thinking that their "needs" are somehow related to these.
theule
so true, theule. and it seems that safe places to ask those questions would be a logical "need". Places/people that allow them to ask those questions, and explore the answers.
The idea of vulnerably looking for answers to those questions with unsafe/dangerous people seems detrimental...and sadly, familiar.
The interesting thing is it pretty much goes in that order. We actually talked about that in one of the trainings at Wedgwood. One of the things that was stressed (and quickly learned in direct care) is if the kids community is unsafe, or perceived to be unsafe, no other needs/issues can even begin to be addressed.
i do agree to with the stated needs to an extent. what i identify as my needs are all of those, but some "youths" would add other things to this list. the needs of adolescents can't be summed up in three things. if i were to develope a program, i would ask them what they think their needs are and i would try to fill them to the best of my ability.
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