The problem is how young people of high school age orient themselves to the future in the light of the theoretical presupposition that such an orientation is a crucial one to the development of identity during adolescence. Fourteen students in a Vancouver high school are interviewed in considerable depth to ascertain primarily how they are so oriented and, more generally, other aspects of their overall outlook. A comparison is made between these findings and those of several earlier studies of approximately ten years ago. While the reasons why the two sets of data may not be exactly comparable are stated, certain conclusions from the data about social change during this period are put forward. The claim is made that a new ideology has developed in this time that did not exist at all among young people previously, and an attempt is made to explicate this ideology as much as possible — drawing on the data of the tape-recorded interviews. A model of cultural change whereby new ideologies are adopted in society is suggested, and the prediction is put forward that the new ideology will spread more among high school students in the near future with significant consequences for the wider society. Finally the effect of all this on the process of adolescent development in society is discussed. It is suggested that this process is crucially linked to social conditions and that at the present time, and because of the above, in contrast to a decade ago it is now much more possible to undergo the full process of adolescence. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

archives@tulane.edu / 1 / Michael Tosin Gbogi

The youth ministry program at the United Church of Christ in Abington, Massachusetts is outdated and stagnant. Although UCC Abington has made many positive changes in recent years to be sure it remains modern and relevant, it has failed to address its antiquated youth program. This project explores the changing church of the twenty-first century, and the place of young people within it. This project will investigate the practical concerns that make it difficult for young people to be involved in the church, and the spiritual concerns that often cause them to turn away from the church. The project will also delve into what youth desire and what this youth leader desires for the faith development and spiritual wellness of youth at UCC Abington. Through the lens of practical theology, this project proposes a new and different format for a youth program in the church that will give young people the opportunity to understand and practice their faith in the context of their lives.

No description available.

This research explores the constraints to youth participation through the mechanism of the National Youth Roundtable. In 1999 the National Youth Roundtable was established as the centrepiece of the Federal Government's `Voices of Youth' initiative, designed to go to the grass roots of the youth population and seek their participation on matters of policy development. This was to be the new interface between young people and the Australian government, replacing the peak body for youth affairs as a more effective participation mechanism.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--York University, 1997. Graduate Programme in Social Work. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-130). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ27393.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas at Arlington, 2008.

This dissertation explores the life experiences of a particular group of young people in the Philippines known as the “istambay”, a Filipino term derived from the English phrase “on standby”. The study examines the concept of istambay and the dynamics of inactivity in the lives of selected Filipino youth. It illustrates the habitus, life contexts, and the web of crises that these youth negotiate within the protective realms of family and religion, and the dismal labour conditions in the country. Methodologically, the study utilizes a mixed methods approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Primary qualitative data are derived from case studies, songs, field notes, and ethnographic observations. Secondary quantitative analyses are conducted using the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) 2002 and a perceptual survey. The study is theoretically oriented around Mills’ sociological imagination and Bourdieu’s theory of practice. It illustrates that the istambay phenomenon is more than a personal trouble (problematic istambay). It is a public issue (istambay problematique). The study also shows the varying levels of vulnerability experienced by different types of istambay. Research findings reveal the istambay phenomenon is a manifestation of the interrelated problems in the educational system and the labour market of the Philippines. The consequence of inactivity among these istambays is found to be mitigated by the culture of care provided by Filipino families combined with solace derived from the church. However, istambays are also found to express disconnection from the state because of the government’s inability to provide employment for them, resulting in their quest for employment “abroad” (overseas) as an alternative. Youth inactivity, although moderated by a familial-faith dynamic, highlights how complex forms of inequalities in the Philippines marginalize the istambays from gaining legitimate active status in Philippine society.

Research in the field of developmental psychology has highlighted the importance of structured activities in providing positive experiences and outcomes for youth. In particular, youth participation in organized sport has been linked to the development of physical, motor, and psychosocial skills. Although these outcomes have been discussed in the sport psychology literature, it is not clear how positive youth development may be facilitated through sport. An ecological approach was used to examine developmental processes, personal characteristics, contextual factors, and time elements that may be linked to youth sport participation and positive development. Study 1 used a quantitative methodology to examine the relationship between developmental asset possession and youth sport outcomes such as burnout and enjoyment. Of the eight asset categories examined, four emerged as significant predictors of burnout and/or enjoyment. Specifically, positive identity, support, and empowerment were linked to burnout and positive identity, empowerment, and social competencies were linked to enjoyment. Study 2 also utilized a quantitative methodology in order to investigate differences between a group of youth sport “specializers” and a group of youth sport “samplers”. Outcomes including burnout, enjoyment, and developmental assets were compared as well as experiences in sport. The groups did not differ in developmental asset possession or in sources of enjoyment. However, “samplers” reported more experiences integrating sport, family, and community whereas “specializers” were more likely to have more experiences with diverse peer groups. The “specializers” also reported higher levels of burnout (i.e., exhaustion) relating to their sport participation. Study 3 examined the development of positive youth within a sport specialization context. Through the use of interviews with elite youth sport coaches and practice observations, four characteristics (i.e., appropriate training structure, opportunities for personal and social development, opportunities for physical and motor skill development, and the presence of supportive interactions) were developed outlining how elite sport settings can enable the development of positive youth. This line of research highlighted the key role of the sport experience in promoting positive youth development. If youth sport programs are delivered with an emphasis on skill development in conjunction with the growth of key assets and an appropriate contextual experience, young people have the potential to emerge as healthy, secure, and positive citizens who feel valued and invested within their homes and communities. / Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2008-06-26 10:18:58.482

The 5Cs (competence, confidence, connection, character and caring/compassion) have been proposed as important constructs that describe the presence of positive youth development (PYD; Lerner et al., 2005). While the 5Cs are intuitively appealing, a recent study failed to provide support for the framework of the 5Cs within a sample of youth sport participants (Jones, Dunn, Holt, Sullivan, & Bloom, in press). Rather than abandoning the framework of the Cs in the youth sport setting, this finding highlights the importance of developing a sport-specific framework. In applying the 5Cs to sport, Côté, Bruner, Erickson, Strachan, and Fraser-Thomas (2010) found that competence, confidence, and connection were well represented in the sport literature, but that caring/compassion were embedded within the character literature. As a result, they collapsed the 5Cs into a 4Cs framework, which has been used in the current study. The purpose of the current study was to garner an understanding of what each of the 4Cs mean to a group of youth sport participants in the sport context. To this end, 10 single-sex focus groups were conducted with 49 youth sport participants (24 boys, 25 girls), 9 to 13 years old (M=10.8 years). The participants were involved in a variety of sports, with soccer, hockey, baseball/softball, and lacrosse being the most common. Data analyses revealed the types of information that participants use to form their perceptions of the 4Cs, along with the sources from which this information is obtained. Participants indicated that they used information from coaches, parents, peers, self-perceptions, and the sport context in creating their understanding of the 4Cs. Participants referred to obtaining information from peers regarding all 4Cs. Conversely, coaches were referenced regarding competence, confidence, and connection, but not character. Parents were not referenced by the participants in their understanding of connection or character in the sport setting. Notable findings also include the strong emphasis participants placed on their level of effort in determining their competence and confidence. Overall, results highlight the importance of providing young athletes opportunities to experience success and interact with peers in a fun and inclusive sport environment. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-06-29 11:19:29.956