7 Characteristics of Youth Work
Wood&Westwood readings:
Educational Practice
Youth workers have the responsibility of trying to mold the minds of their clients and people in their lives. As youth workers we are "primarily educators" who teach youth in different ways than most educators do. In addition, youth workers bend and twist lessons and activities to better help their audience. In my own personal experience, there have been times where I've had to find a different way to explain a situation so that the children I'm talking to can understand me better.
Social Practice
As youth workers, we are in charge of creating and keeping a safe and comfortable space for children and their peers. In order to start creating this safe environment, the children in the group can then learn how to use different techniques without being afraid of making a mistake.
Work Towards Social Justice
The work of a youth worker and their achievements seem to almost always take place in an environment that is trying to create a positive change. As stated in the text, "most youth work takes place in the context of social injustice, often with young people and others who are on the same margins". This means that youth workers are trying to fix " power imbalances" by being a positive social leader in their community.
Strengthen The Voice of the Youth
There is a large number of youth workers who end up becoming involved in this field because they have a desire to help and nourish the youth population in their community. An important factor of helping to better the youth in our communities is making sure that everyone feels comfortable and is then willing to participate in various activities. This can help the environment be formal or informal, whatever feels right to the youth coordinator. Making a safe and encouraging space will help build up an empowering setting for the youth who join.
Welfare Practice
As youth workers, we are there to help " promote the welfare and safety of young people." Many youth workers encourage children in order for them to be " experiencing greater needs or in areas of high deprivation". In conclusion, this means that as youth workers, we can better understand and design a more specific approach to helping that particular young person.
Holistic Approach
Last but not least, being a youth worker tends to be seen by society as someone who "fixes problems for all ages". In reality, youth workers focus on helping youth in specific ways and situations in a way that the child will understand.
Educational Practice
Youth workers have the responsibility of trying to mold the minds of their clients and people in their lives. As youth workers we are "primarily educators" who teach youth in different ways than most educators do. In addition, youth workers bend and twist lessons and activities to better help their audience. In my own personal experience, there have been times where I've had to find a different way to explain a situation so that the children I'm talking to can understand me better.
Social Practice
As youth workers, we are in charge of creating and keeping a safe and comfortable space for children and their peers. In order to start creating this safe environment, the children in the group can then learn how to use different techniques without being afraid of making a mistake.
Work Towards Social Justice
The work of a youth worker and their achievements seem to almost always take place in an environment that is trying to create a positive change. As stated in the text, "most youth work takes place in the context of social injustice, often with young people and others who are on the same margins". This means that youth workers are trying to fix " power imbalances" by being a positive social leader in their community.
Young People Choose to be Involved
In these readings, the text tells us that a good majority of youth do alot of things because they have to, such as school or religious affiliations. Youth workers however can make the conscious choice to help young people in many other ways that don't feel forced.
Strengthen The Voice of the Youth
There is a large number of youth workers who end up becoming involved in this field because they have a desire to help and nourish the youth population in their community. An important factor of helping to better the youth in our communities is making sure that everyone feels comfortable and is then willing to participate in various activities. This can help the environment be formal or informal, whatever feels right to the youth coordinator. Making a safe and encouraging space will help build up an empowering setting for the youth who join.
Welfare Practice
As youth workers, we are there to help " promote the welfare and safety of young people." Many youth workers encourage children in order for them to be " experiencing greater needs or in areas of high deprivation". In conclusion, this means that as youth workers, we can better understand and design a more specific approach to helping that particular young person.
Holistic Approach
Last but not least, being a youth worker tends to be seen by society as someone who "fixes problems for all ages". In reality, youth workers focus on helping youth in specific ways and situations in a way that the child will understand.
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