Encountering New Life Forms: Meeting Adolescent Needs Meet the Millennials or Generation Y

Encountering New Encountering New Life Forms: Meeting Life Forms: Meeting Adolescent NeedsAdolescent Needs

Meet the Millennials or Meet the Millennials or Generation YGeneration Y

Who ARE these people?Who ARE these people?

Why do they deserve special Why do they deserve special attention?attention?

Why do they pose such Why do they pose such challenges to us?challenges to us?

Development of the Development of the Person:Person:

Primary needsPrimary needs• UnlearnedUnlearned

Secondary needsSecondary needs• LearnedLearned

– Toward self-sufficiencyToward self-sufficiency– Toward self-actualizationToward self-actualization

Who ARE these people? Who ARE these people? Gen YGen Y

Born in the ‘90’sBorn in the ‘90’s Have credit/debit Have credit/debit cards & are in debtcards & are in debt

Can multitaskCan multitask Grew up with the Grew up with the internetinternet

Are ethnically, Are ethnically, racially diverseracially diverse

Spiritual/not Spiritual/not religiousreligious

Are unconventional Are unconventional eaterseaters

Are looking for causesAre looking for causes Are more conventional: Are more conventional: drugs, pregnancy downdrugs, pregnancy down

Not angry w/ChurchNot angry w/Church Stressed/busyStressed/busy Have been exposed to Have been exposed to rites of passage rites of passage early( 25% of 15-24 early( 25% of 15-24 yr-olds have had HPV -yr-olds have had HPV -NYTimes 2/3/07)NYTimes 2/3/07)

Aspirations/Attitudes Aspirations/Attitudes of Gen Yof Gen Y

Important to be rich

41.90%

74.50%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

1 2

Year

% agree

Series1

1967 2005

Have meaning

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

1

2

year

% agree

Series1

2005

1967

Source: USA Today 1/10/07

AttitudesAttitudes

54% have posted pictures of themselves on 54% have posted pictures of themselves on internetinternet

44% have an internet profile44% have an internet profile 67% believe immigrants strengthen society 67% believe immigrants strengthen society (vs. 47% 41-60)(vs. 47% 41-60)

47% favor same sex marriage (vs.30% over 47% favor same sex marriage (vs.30% over 25)25)

32% attend church at least once/week32% attend church at least once/week 48% identify with Democratic party48% identify with Democratic party 36% have a tattoo; 30% body piercing; 25% 36% have a tattoo; 30% body piercing; 25% hair dyed a non-traditional colorhair dyed a non-traditional colorSource: USA Today 1/10/07

Think, for a minute:Think, for a minute:

When were you allowed to:When were you allowed to:• Stay out all night?Stay out all night?• Attend an unchaperoned Attend an unchaperoned party/dance?party/dance?

• Date exclusively?Date exclusively?• Have friends spend the night?Have friends spend the night?• Have money of your own?Have money of your own?• Drink alcoholic beverages?Drink alcoholic beverages?

Our adolescents have done these earlier than we.

Strommen’s Five Cries Strommen’s Five Cries of Youthof Youth

The cry of the unlovedThe cry of the unloved The cry of the orphanThe cry of the orphan The cry of social protestThe cry of social protest The cry of prejudiceThe cry of prejudice The cry of the joyfulThe cry of the joyful

The Cry of the UnlovedThe Cry of the Unloved

They are more focused on They are more focused on crucifixion than resurrectioncrucifixion than resurrection

Looking for love in all the Looking for love in all the wrong placeswrong places

Not sure where they fit.Not sure where they fit. Have achieved alienation and Have achieved alienation and anomie from the Internet.anomie from the Internet.

May have gender identity issuesMay have gender identity issues

The cry of the orphanThe cry of the orphan

Stuck between dependence and Stuck between dependence and independenceindependence

They are quite different from their They are quite different from their parents’ generationparents’ generation

They have been left alone since they They have been left alone since they were very youngwere very young

They have been “scheduled” for a long They have been “scheduled” for a long time.time.

The Cry of Social The Cry of Social ProtestProtest

More diverse, racially, ethnically, More diverse, racially, ethnically, than any other generation.than any other generation.

Conventional in outlook; their Conventional in outlook; their aspirations are very conservative aspirations are very conservative (they want to be “rich”).(they want to be “rich”).

Sense of tolerance: it’s cool to be Sense of tolerance: it’s cool to be Catholic, whatever that means.Catholic, whatever that means.

They want what we gave up in the They want what we gave up in the ‘60’s‘60’s

The Cry of PrejudiceThe Cry of Prejudice

Have been raised to be intolerant; but Have been raised to be intolerant; but when with peers, are very tolerant.when with peers, are very tolerant.

Consider themselves the center of the Consider themselves the center of the universe; can’t understand why they are universe; can’t understand why they are not. not.

Build frameworks, and then decide if Build frameworks, and then decide if they want to be there. they want to be there.

The Cry of the JoyfulThe Cry of the Joyful

They are happy, conformist, want They are happy, conformist, want to be a part of the groupto be a part of the group

Want to know how to channel joy Want to know how to channel joy and not feel guilty and not feel guilty

Want a sense of hope and Want a sense of hope and optimism.optimism.

Generational Difference: Generational Difference: the Church the Church TeensTeens ParentsParents

God of LOVEGod of LOVE More emotionMore emotion No coherent No coherent Church cultureChurch culture

No need to prove No need to prove themselvesthemselves

Love the Church; Love the Church; ignore doctrineignore doctrine

Choose toleranceChoose tolerance

God of JUSTICEGod of JUSTICE More doctrineMore doctrine A culture entwinedA culture entwined Attention to Attention to spiritual growth, spiritual growth, “Points”“Points”

Love the Church, Love the Church, pick and choose pick and choose doctrinedoctrine

Look for authorityLook for authority

What do Catholic teens What do Catholic teens believe?believe?::91% believe bread & wine become Body & Blood of Christ

62% take seriously the pronouncements of the Pope

77% say they can be good Catholics without going to church

56% say that they can be good Catholics without donating time or money to help the poor.

93% believe that Jesus was the Son of God

55% believe that the Catholic Church is the “one true church”

72% believe that you can be a good Catholic & not agree withChurch teaching on birth control, 65% disagree with Church teaching on divorce & remarriage, 53% sayyou can disagree with Church teaching on abortion.

Teens Pray Often...Teens Pray Often...

What Teens Pray For

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

A sick friend orrelative

Personal needs World peace, globalconcerns

Material things

Series2

(2004: American Bible Society)

Teens Believe in Power Teens Believe in Power of Prayerof Prayer

Teens' Prayers Answered

26%

26%

48%All of the time

Most of the time

Some of the time

Teens use:Personal Prayer:54%Lord’s Prayer: 22%Other type: 11%

(2004: American Bible Society)

Nearly 90% of US teensNearly 90% of US teens say there is an say there is an overall purpose to overall purpose to their livestheir lives

Teen Life

19

19

10

8

4

be a good Christian

make a difference,help people

be a good person

have a good job,career

be happy, enjoylife, have fun

% who agree

(2004 Gallup Survey)

Worries of AdolescentsWorries of Adolescents

56% school performance 22% my parents might divorce53% looks 21% I may die soon48% others like me 19% sexual abuse47% one parent might die 18% trouble from friends45% how I’m treated by friends38% societal ills 15% parent’s drinking36% violence at school 12% getting beat up at school35% I might lose a friend 11% I might kill myself35% drugs/alcohol30% might not get a good job26% body normality25% US nuked (Source: Gallup Poll, 2001)

Despair: a problem for Despair: a problem for teensteens

Percentage of teens who say they felt so hopelessthat they made suicide plans in 2004:

Males: 14.1%Females: 18.9%

Source: Center for Disease Control: Youth at Risk Survey

Self-development tasksSelf-development tasks

1. Achieving mature 1. Achieving mature relations with age-relations with age-mates of both sexes;mates of both sexes;

2. Achieving a 2. Achieving a masculine or feminine masculine or feminine identity;identity;

3. Accepting one’s 3. Accepting one’s body;body;

4. Achieving 4. Achieving emotional emotional independenceindependence

5. Selecting & 5. Selecting & preparing for career;preparing for career;

6. Achieving 6. Achieving financial financial independence;independence;

7. Preparing for 7. Preparing for marriage & family marriage & family lifelife

8. Socially 8. Socially responsible behaviorresponsible behavior

9. Ethics & set of 9. Ethics & set of values.values.

Teen self-image: Girls Teen self-image: Girls vs.Boysvs.Boys

Changing Appearance

Females

Males

Change appearance

Focus on Positives

Females

Males

Focus on positives

Talk with Family/Friends

Females

Males

Talk w/family, friends

Source: FGI Research, 10/04

(G:58%;B:40%) (G:47%;B:43%) (G:62%;B:48%)

More adolescent tasks:More adolescent tasks:

Develop & apply Develop & apply abstract thinking abstract thinking skillsskills

Develop empathyDevelop empathy Develop new coping Develop new coping

skills;e.g.: problem skills;e.g.: problem solving, conflict solving, conflict resolutionresolution

Identify meaningful Identify meaningful moral standardsmoral standards

Understand & express Understand & express complex emotional complex emotional experiencesexperiences

Form close Form close friendshipsfriendships

Establish key aspects Establish key aspects of identityof identity

Meet demands of Meet demands of increasingly mature increasingly mature roles & roles & responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Renegotiate Renegotiate relationships with relationships with adults in parenting adults in parenting rolesroles

Teens at work:Teens at work:Teen Jobs

45%

39%

7%9%

Not working

Service

Blue Collar

Cler/Child C.

Hours Worked

45%

17%

38% Not Working<15>15

Some Adolescent IssuesSome Adolescent Issues

SleepSleep SexSex Self-imageSelf-image ComfortComfort IndependenceIndependence PeersPeers EthicsEthics

Some questions for Some questions for you:you:

WhichWhich ofof thesethese issuesissues isis mostmost prevalentprevalent inin youryour classroomsclassrooms::• SleepSleep• SexSex• SelfSelf--ImageImage• PeerPeer pressurepressure• AimlessnessAimlessness ( (failurefailure toto have goals)have goals)• Ethics (cheating, covering for peers, Ethics (cheating, covering for peers, etc.)etc.)

• Other???Other???

How do we encounter How do we encounter them?them?

Listen, listen, listenListen, listen, listen Stick with themStick with them Keep asking questionsKeep asking questions Take them seriouslyTake them seriously Dare them to dreamDare them to dream Give undivided timeGive undivided time Understand that they are unfinished Understand that they are unfinished beingsbeings

Why?

Where?

How?

When

What?

Have we asked the Have we asked the right questions?right questions?

Are they critical thinkers? Are they self-directed? Do they have a moral center? What do they consider are their responsibilities to the world?

What are their attitudes towards others? Towards global issues?

Some questions for Some questions for you:you:

Is there a disconnect between your Is there a disconnect between your students’ lives in school & out of students’ lives in school & out of school?school?

Have you been surprised by their Have you been surprised by their attitude?attitude?

What do they say about their beliefs? What do they say about their beliefs? Their aspirations? Their hopes? Their Their aspirations? Their hopes? Their fears?fears?

What do they want from teachers? What do they want from teachers? Parents? Friends? Parents? Friends?

When they come back, what do they say When they come back, what do they say about their experience in this school? about their experience in this school?

The voices of teensThe voices of teens

“Many of us see our teachers more than we see our parents. I think that teachers need to realize that they are a part of ourlives as much as they are. Yes, our parents are important, but teachers are also because we see them so much.

-9th grade girl


“Maybe we are more cynical. But I think this generationis also a lot smarter. We will accomplish a lot. We’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

12th grade girl“We’re a lot better than they think we are.”

11th grade boy

What do they ask?What do they ask?

They want us to be present to their They want us to be present to their “unfolding”.“unfolding”.

They want us to be joyful witnesses to our They want us to be joyful witnesses to our own lives.own lives.

They want openness, honesty, dialogue.They want openness, honesty, dialogue. They want adult mentors.They want adult mentors. They want basic catechesis.They want basic catechesis. They want to claim an authentic belief They want to claim an authentic belief system.system.

They want social justiceThey want social justice They want authentic faith encounters.They want authentic faith encounters.

Questions for Catholic Questions for Catholic educators:educators:

How will we connect with young people?

How will we witness to our (and their) ideals?

How will we “ground them” in faith and religion? Is faith enough?

How will we give them hope and optimism?

How will we inspire them?

Some questions:Some questions:

How will we keep teens How will we keep teens connected with Church?connected with Church?

What are some issues we need to What are some issues we need to confront when we attempt to confront when we attempt to provide a truly Catholic provide a truly Catholic education to teens?education to teens?

How will we successfully infuse How will we successfully infuse our culture with our belief?our culture with our belief?

Questions:Questions:

What programs do we need to design What programs do we need to design in order to help our teens to deal in order to help our teens to deal with their self-development tasks?with their self-development tasks?

What new roles do teachers need to What new roles do teachers need to play?play?

What does the phrase: schools need What does the phrase: schools need to be judged not by whom they take to be judged not by whom they take in but whom they put out” mean to in but whom they put out” mean to you?you?

Secondary needsSecondary needs

GregariousnessGregariousness AggressionAggression AffiliationAffiliation InquisitivenessInquisitiveness PowerPower AchievementAchievement StatusStatus

GregariousnessGregariousness

Social beingsSocial beings Need to belong:Need to belong:

• Homeroom may be homeHomeroom may be home• Need to know teacher loves themNeed to know teacher loves them• Need to be part of the teamNeed to be part of the team• Have the “second family”Have the “second family”


“More than anything, our youth culture responds to positivefeedback from the media and adults. Often the only feedbackwe’re getting is negative. I have many friends who feellike they’re taken for granted, because the troublemakersget all the attention. The people who are doing what theyshould be doing are overlooked.”

- 12th grade girl

AggressionAggression

The need to assert, carve out The need to assert, carve out territory, have “turf”.territory, have “turf”.

Allow opinions to be expressedAllow opinions to be expressed Involve them in problem Involve them in problem solvingsolving

Let them “own territory”Let them “own territory” Acknowledge their presence & Acknowledge their presence & uniquenessuniqueness

AffiliationAffiliation

Need to associateNeed to associate Boys/girls and relationshipsBoys/girls and relationships Friendships, sense of loyaltyFriendships, sense of loyalty School spiritSchool spirit Belonging/gangsBelonging/gangs

Inquisitiveness: the Inquisitiveness: the need to knowneed to know

Relation of learning to lifeRelation of learning to life ““senioritis”senioritis” CuriosityCuriosity


“ You are who you hang around with. Before, parents made you who you are. Now, teens are pretty much definedby their friends. I see my mom maybe an hour a day andnot at all on weekends.”

-11th grade girl

Power: the need for Power: the need for identityidentity

Decision-makingDecision-making Graffiti, Dare-devil antics, Graffiti, Dare-devil antics, gangsgangs

Being seenBeing seen Making a name for oneselfMaking a name for oneself


“it’s cool to see your name on the broadcast monitor in the cafeteria or in the local paper because you scored thewinning basket. No one is going to get on the PA and say ‘Susie got an A in Spanish.’”

-11th grade boy

AchievementAchievement

Need for recognition for Need for recognition for something specificsomething specific

Motivation: boys vs. girlsMotivation: boys vs. girls Creation of Rites of PassageCreation of Rites of Passage


“It seems that often the adults in our society are quick to blame the teenagers and tell us to take responsibility for ourindividual actions. Our problems have a lot to do with the role models in our society. If we’re not being praised or perceived as doing the right things, then we’re going to turn to other forms of attention.”

-12th grade girl

StatusStatus

The need to be somebodyThe need to be somebody Demonstrate students’ power Demonstrate students’ power over their statusover their status

Value all kinds of talentValue all kinds of talent Notice them outside the Notice them outside the classroomclassroom


“We have a problem here; a certain percentage of the students do everything in the school. A certain percentageare in the higher classes; they also play sports, they’re inclubs and they are also the leaders in our school. I thinkthe rest of the kids feel alienated.

-12th grade girl


“My worry, academics-wise, is ‘am I understanding this?’Just because you can get an A in every class doesn’t mean that you’ve learned anything. If you don’t learn anything,that’s just a waste of time for you and the teacher.”

10th grade boy


“When I’m with my friends, I don’t have to be good at anything. I just have to BE and my friends will acceptme. “-sophomore boy

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Documents

Encountering New Life Forms: Meeting Adolescent Needs Meet the Millennials or Generation Y