Post #10: Leading With...
YDEV 501
WEEK 10: Leading with...
At the beginning of this course, we've read so many articles and research studies on how youth are deemed to be problematic, volatile, disengaged, and dangerous. These stereotypes on how adults label and view young people is part of the reason why society continues to deny teens real role in society, except as consumers and trendsetters. I also vividly remember one stereotype that I've read in one of the readings about how...
Age is a positional superiority of adults over adolescents based on age in which adults always come out better, no matter what the particular issues or behaviors.
This being said, I am happy to see, read and witness how this stereotype is an utter BS as the youth nowadays are taking matters into their own hands. Young people are being aware on how policy makers are failing to meet their needs and they are demanding for changes and actions to be done about it. It's admirable to see youth (especially given the current situation we are in now) taking control over their future the best possible way they can. There are so many examples of the youth advocating for social justice -- for their own life and the lives of future generations on issues like gun control, immigration, black lives matter, ethnic studies, climate change, etc. What's even more eye-opening and heartbreaking at the same time is that in these instances wherein videos and testimonies of young people go viral on the internet, we come to realize how much they know more about the real issues/ problems the country (and the world) is facing and how much they care about equality and peace for every single person in this country (world). They're the ones who say things that the adults are afraid to say and tackle due to political and monetary gains, etc. They're the ones who dare to challenge the system that is flawed and often times, corrupt, cruel and unjust.
Reading through our assignments this week just further strengthened my point-of-view on how important it is for us, adults (including youth workers) to support the youth so that they can grow up and be leaders. It goes to show that there really is no age requirement for someone to become a leader and/or have an integral part of a movement/ cause. Another thing that really stood out for me was in both reading assignments, these youth-led organizations had/have some help with adults (as the youth's allies). Adults do take an integral part in supporting and helping the youth with their cause and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Referring to the article, Urban Youth Building Community, on page 115 it discusses the topic about strengthening adults as allies and asking the question, "leading but not leading, is it possible?". I believe that the problem of inequality arises when adults take too much control over the young people and it's caused by the mentality that adults (given their age and experience), know better. If we find a perfect balance wherein adults act as allies and having the "supporting role", then youth would feel empowered to succeed in their endeavors.
Bottom-line is, we all need help. For youth-led organizations, we (adults) need to give them the
chance to decide on their own and to trust that they know what they're doing. As adult allies, they should be able to trust us that we have their best interest at heart and that we are there to support them. I think it all boils down to trust and respect which can be hard for adults in terms of giving control to someone younger (and probably less experienced) than them to decide on issues and directions. But we need to respect the fact that this is an important step for their growth and development. Youth-led/ driven organizations and movements are spreading because as I've mentioned earlier, adults and policy makers are failing to address their needs -- most especially for marginalized communities when as sad as it is, racism still plays a huge part in our society now and a lot of people are not getting the same benefits and privileges that their white counterpart (for instance) are receiving.
Age is a positional superiority of adults over adolescents based on age in which adults always come out better, no matter what the particular issues or behaviors.
This being said, I am happy to see, read and witness how this stereotype is an utter BS as the youth nowadays are taking matters into their own hands. Young people are being aware on how policy makers are failing to meet their needs and they are demanding for changes and actions to be done about it. It's admirable to see youth (especially given the current situation we are in now) taking control over their future the best possible way they can. There are so many examples of the youth advocating for social justice -- for their own life and the lives of future generations on issues like gun control, immigration, black lives matter, ethnic studies, climate change, etc. What's even more eye-opening and heartbreaking at the same time is that in these instances wherein videos and testimonies of young people go viral on the internet, we come to realize how much they know more about the real issues/ problems the country (and the world) is facing and how much they care about equality and peace for every single person in this country (world). They're the ones who say things that the adults are afraid to say and tackle due to political and monetary gains, etc. They're the ones who dare to challenge the system that is flawed and often times, corrupt, cruel and unjust. Reading through our assignments this week just further strengthened my point-of-view on how important it is for us, adults (including youth workers) to support the youth so that they can grow up and be leaders. It goes to show that there really is no age requirement for someone to become a leader and/or have an integral part of a movement/ cause. Another thing that really stood out for me was in both reading assignments, these youth-led organizations had/have some help with adults (as the youth's allies). Adults do take an integral part in supporting and helping the youth with their cause and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Referring to the article, Urban Youth Building Community, on page 115 it discusses the topic about strengthening adults as allies and asking the question, "leading but not leading, is it possible?". I believe that the problem of inequality arises when adults take too much control over the young people and it's caused by the mentality that adults (given their age and experience), know better. If we find a perfect balance wherein adults act as allies and having the "supporting role", then youth would feel empowered to succeed in their endeavors.
Bottom-line is, we all need help. For youth-led organizations, we (adults) need to give them thechance to decide on their own and to trust that they know what they're doing. As adult allies, they should be able to trust us that we have their best interest at heart and that we are there to support them. I think it all boils down to trust and respect which can be hard for adults in terms of giving control to someone younger (and probably less experienced) than them to decide on issues and directions. But we need to respect the fact that this is an important step for their growth and development. Youth-led/ driven organizations and movements are spreading because as I've mentioned earlier, adults and policy makers are failing to address their needs -- most especially for marginalized communities when as sad as it is, racism still plays a huge part in our society now and a lot of people are not getting the same benefits and privileges that their white counterpart (for instance) are receiving.
Thanks for your post Jim-- I love that quote you pulled out. It is the definition of a rigged system, like head's I win, tails you lose.
ReplyDeleteHi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment on how adults have a hard time being trusting of youth because as adults, we are often viewed more as more experienced. It would only make sense that yes, someone who is older is often more experienced in a specific area often due to the more fact that they have had the ability to be around longer. However, the lack of trusting in youth, in this aspect, often does not get a second look. It is societally appropriate to not trust youth & to assume the person who is older can do the job better so youth need to deal with that & call it a day. However, when youth do not trust adults & refuse to open up about personal problems or even seek guidance for simple academic or managerial support, we are all at a loss & label that youth as a bad kid. How does this dynamic make any sense? Trust needs to be reciprocal between the generations in order to foster growth.
I think back to that video that you posted of the youth taking a stand against gun violence & the adults were sitting in the audience, giving full attention & respect. To me, that is how you gain respect & create intergenerational healing.