From the White House to the Capitol Building, to board rooms and city halls, young people are often left out of the decisions that most affect them. However, this lack of youth representation is not because it could cause harm to young people or the decision-making process. Throughout history, young people have been heavily involved in some of the most effective and necessary social movements - think the Civil Rights, women’s suffrage and anti-war movements of the 1960s. During this period, youth were engaged in enacting change through a variety of methods - from leading protests, starting free health clinics and working in settlement houses. When engaged, young people can play an integral role in making positive changes to their personal lives …show more content…
More so, this means the involvement of youth in planning and decision making that affects themselves and others. Studies suggest that the structure, culture and programming of schools, local governments and organizations is greatly strengthened when young people are engaged and involved - not just as consumers or beneficiaries, but as partners in development and decision making. Youth engagement is a cycle of communities contributing to the lives of its young people, and young people contributing to the future of their communities. There are many ways to effectively engage youth in community change and local civic processes. Some methods of youth engagement may work better in one community than others, but one of the benefits of youth engagement is the endless creativity and imagination of young people that assists in the development of unique ways for youth to be involved in their communities. Around the country, youth and adults are partnering to address challenges and engage young people in advocacy, entrepreneurship, and in community and organizational decision …show more content…
Across America, youth are disproportionately involved in and affected by many issues that plague our society, such as drugs, violence, poor education and poverty. However, effective youth engagement could lead to the decline of these issues, as well as their eventual eradication. Young people want and need to be engaged as leaders and changemakers in their schools, families, community, world and personal lives. Effective youth engagement promotes and encourages this, and develops the personal tools and knowledge to help youth become productive leaders in many
In Engaging Apolitical Youth by Melissa Ames the idea that young readers today are becoming more involved with how our country is being run and what the leaders are saying is a prominent theme throughout this article. I believe that Ames if using a lot of facts and it seems as if she has done extensive research into all of these topics. I believe that Ames is backing up her statements with many different sources and references. Ames is clearly saying that there is a direct correlation between dystopian novels and the amount of your adults interested and involved with politics in the modern world. Ames shows this by bringing up that “total vote has increased consistently throughout the past four presidential elections: 2000, 14.3%; 2004, 16.0%;
“The language that one utilizes in organizing work may be the most critical component of community organizing practice” (Gregory, 1999). Language helps frames and communicate messages. In an article by Cathy J. Cohen, Millennials & the Myth of the Post-Racial Society: Black Youth, Intra-generational Divisions & the Continuing Racial Divide in American Politics (2011), Cohen states that the "millennials" will dominate the political arena, many of the thorny social issues that have caused great debate and consternation among the American public will be resolved. This suggests that young voters will take over policy-making and leadership.
The eye-opening discussions on Mental Health & Addiction, Prescription for Change, Youth Making Change, and Co-Exist made me realize the importance of youth leadership in drug prevention programs. I returned home with a mission and began spreading the word about B.A.S.E. Soon enough, 18 equally committed students were onboard, eager to make a difference. We were ready to move the mountains and began to meet and brainstorm upcoming
As the Latino population of the United States continues to burgeon, so does its influence in all aspects of American society. The far-reaching influence of Latinos has exploded in the past few decades, with 17% of the U.S. population who identify as Latino controlling over $1.5 trillion USD in spending power. A section of society where Latino influence continues to rise is in the American political process and the formation of public policy. Latinos have managed to fill a vacant position in nearly every spot of government, culminating with a U.S. Latino holding a crucial stake in a fierce battle for the presidency. As Latinos continue to grow in size and influence, attention should be invested in promoting civic engagement and enhancing political representation of Latinos at all levels of government.
The adolescent equity framework needs to stay in front of
The Boys & Girls Club serves the youth to enable them to reach their full potential by providing them services to enhance their personal development and leadership skills, character building, education, and career goals. (few spaces back) 1 out of every 5 children is living in poverty, 15.1 million children get left home unsupervised every day, 3p.m to 7p.m Juvenile crime rates escalate, 3 out of 10 kids are obese or overweight, and 1 out of 5 students will not graduate on time. This is why organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club that provides activities for the youth is very essential to the urban community. Without youth programming in the urban communities it can be the cause of the decline in the youth development, increase violent acts, and sexual evolvement.
Teen Activism Have you ever heard of teen activism? Teen activism is youth engagement in community organization for for social change. One green planet.org tells us all it takes to become a teen activist is passion knowledge and desire to bring out change. This essay will talk about these teen activists Craig Kielburger, Alex libby, and Alex lin. Craig Kielburger Craig Kielburger is a very determined activist trying to end child labor.
Teen activism “I don’t see anything uncommon in it,” states Alex Lin a former teen activist. Teen activists, who are they, what do they stand for ,and what does it take to become one? Teen activists make a big difference in this world, they devote time and energy to helping others a they don’t let challenges get in their way ,they stand up for what they believe in, and they encourage others to do so. All it takes to become one is lots of determination and a voice and the bravery to stand up! Alex Lin!
He pointed out that I needed to exercise my rights and put my input into the country. Many students my age are never taught the importance of voting; therefore, they lose many opportunities to let their voices be heard until later in their lives. When students register to vote, a spark arises into researching government so that they know they are making gown up choices like the new adult title. The government would have no choice but to listen to young Americans if they became involved with the issues and demanded representation. Young adults must understand the impact that voting today has one their future.
Voter turnout in Canadian elections has been declining for decades at all levels of government, particularly among young people (Adsett, 247). This phenomenon brings about concern involving the engagement among Canadian youth, or lack thereof, in formal political activity. In fact, it is argued that civic duty among young people is considerably low compared to older counterparts. Due to changes in political interests and contrasting attitudes towards politics among different age demographics, youth are less likely to involve themselves through traditional forms of politics. As a result of this decline, Canadian youth are unable to shape social agenda, particularly surrounding youth issues, as political parties will not address the needs of
“For all the rhetoric of the young and charismatic President, JF Kennedy, and his successor, Lyndon Johnson, for many Americans living in the 1960s the ‘American dream’ remained just that – a dream.” The 1960s in America was a time of great social and political changes. It was the decade of new frontiers being explored which was initially lead by the young, charismatic, Democrat President John F Kennedy. The American Dream was first introduced in 1931 to be defined as; having individual rights and freedom such as freedom of speech, peaceful protest, equality between races, gender and age.
Hurley & Treacy (1993) would argue that the focus should be on consciousness raising and collective action, in an effort to bring about societal change. By implementing youth work that is focused on meeting Government priorities and prescribed outcomes, the underpinning principles of youth work (autonomy, empowerment, and a therapeutic relationship) are being forgotten (Scanlon 2011; Youth Work Act
Young adults between comprise 20% of the U.S population” That how many of us can make a difference in younger kids life and activists don’t even have to be teens they can be any age. Some Activists can not spread the word to many places throughout the
Take, for instance,Habitat for humanity a nonprofit agency that builds home for people in poverty. THis agency is mostly run by volunteers and recently added a youthbuild to get children involved and volunteering. For example,in an article by
Volunteering is when you freely offer to do something without pay. In a person’s life, they have at least participated in community service one time. Whether it be working the concession stand at a ball game, picking up the mail for an elder, or even babysitting. For some people, volunteering helps them feel like they play an essential role while they are giving back to their community. Although volunteering is purely an act of kindness, it can also be very helpful in some people’s lives, such as making them feel like they are the difference makers.