Youth Work Ideologies

- Our theoretically-grounded curriculum and approach grows from our belief that youth are thoughtful, creative people who deserve opportunities to practice leadership with supportive, professional adults by their side.

-In this frame, young people are situated as individuals with emotional, physical, academic, moral, and social potential

-As youth work leaders, they know who they are and what they believe.

These quotes from the reading really stood out to me because it's what youth work really is all about. I had gotten the positive ideology and the first quote resonated with me the most. I do believe that youth spaces should be a place for youths to figure out their own path with the support of the adults around them. Youths are so much more than what we think of them. They have their own beliefs, thoughts and feelings that deserve to be heard just as much as anyone else. The second quote also stood out to me because youth have so much potential in all aspects of their life and the adults in their life can make or break how they use it. By having supportive adults around them, they feel like they're seen and will want to be the best versions of themselves. We're not here to make youths be cookie cutter to one another, we need to allow our youths to be their truest selves. Lastly, we as youth workers need to be our truest selves to be able to support our youths in doing the same. We have to be the example and show them that it's okay to make mistakes and to grow from them. While the youth are our future, we are the ones who help to shape them. 

Comments

  1. MsVlugoOctober 5, 2020 at 10:03 PM

    Meaghan, you chose some really good quotes. I also chose the one about youth leaders knowing who they are and what they believe.In my opinion in order to be an effect youth worker you must possess and be able to convey the kind of confidence that will allow youth to trust in your guidance.

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