Youth Development Guide Intro: KLM

 Knew: 

Going into reading this article, I know that youth development came as a response to the deficit approach. The country so concerned about trying to fix what they viewed as "problem behaviors" and created programs that tried preventing a singular problem. By doing this, they weren't addressing the basic things young people need as they grow up. I also knew that youth development was made to create a safe space for young people to be themselves as well as get the supports they need to be successful in all aspects of their life.

Learned:

 I learned about the different organizations that started putting youth development into action and how crucial they were to the movement. I also learned how important the Carnegie Report was to showing how support programs in the community play a huge role in youths lives. Also that the Deficit Approach was dividing youths into 2 groups; the youths already engaging in risky behavior and those at high risk, and everyone else. By creating that divide at such an important developmental stage, it's almost like telling those kids that there was something wrong with them and they needed to be fixed. 

Want to know more:

What I want to know more about though is if there is all this money being allocated to youth development programs in schools, then why aren't there more programs being implemented in schools? Also why is it that even though it's been proven that when young people have sports or the arts or an after school activity to look forward to they succeed in other areas as well that those same programs are always first on the chopping block when it comes to budget cuts? 

Comments

  1. AbbySeptember 8, 2020 at 5:31 AM

    I agree with your area of wanting to know more focused on why there are not more youth programs in schools if there is this funding being associated with youth programs. I think this is a interesting area for question due to the fact that there is funding for it but still a large need for more.

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  2. Victoria RestlerSeptember 8, 2020 at 9:26 AM

    Thanks for your post Meaghan! Love your questions--in regard to the first, one clarification. This article is about 20 years old and while, they celebrate an increase in OST funding (at the time), it is still quite low. In RI, for example, we have no permanent, dedicated state funding for after-school. As for your second question, YESSS! WHY??? I think maybe it has to do with some deeply-held cultural beliefs and values...let's talk more about this!

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  3. DanaSeptember 8, 2020 at 4:59 PM

    With my experience working in the YDEV Field (outside school programs) it can be difficult for new organizations, specifically the one I work for to receive funding on their own. Connections and credibility is so important to receive funds, there is money out there but the process can take a lot time and a team of people. In many ways I wish there was more funds and an easier process to receive them. Also, it seems that not all people in this field of work make a living wage unless they are in higher up position within an organization. I truly hope that one day programs have full funding, and staff have adequate funding so youth and coaches/providers are all receiving the resources they deserve.

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