International Conference on Youth Policy and Research: From Theory To

8/14/2019 International Conference on Youth Policy and Research: From Theory To

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qu y anqu y an

ParticipationParticipationInternational Conference on YouthInternational Conference on Youth

Policy and Research: From Theory toPolicy and Research: From Theory to

PracticePractice

David M. HansenDavid M. Hansen

University of Kansas, USAUniversity of Kansas, USAVienna, AustriaVienna, Austria

20092009


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Adult Stereotypes ofAdult Stereotypes of

YouthYouth shortsightedshortsighted

focused more on the immediatefocused more on the immediate

rather than on the futurerather than on the future bored, disengaged and alienatedbored, disengaged and alienated

from societyfrom society


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Free Time With Friends

MotivationMotivation ChallengeChallenge

Data are from Csikszentmihalyi andLarson (1984).


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During Class




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Youth Programs




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BackdropBackdrop

US has a bottom-up approachUS has a bottom-up approach

This Presentation:This Presentation:Situate the issues of youthSituate the issues of youth

participation in US within theparticipation in US within the

developmental promise and potentialdevelopmental promise and potential


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Developmental PromiseDevelopmental Promise

and Potentialand Potential Principle of Youth Development:Principle of Youth Development:

Experience drives cognitiveExperience drives cognitive (social,(social,

emotional, civic, etc)emotional, civic, etc) growth during youthgrowth during youth

periodperiod Authentic Experience needed to develop adult-Authentic Experience needed to develop adult-

typical capacitiestypical capacities Authentic Experience = experiences that mimic real-Authentic Experience = experiences that mimic real-

world adult conditionsworld adult conditions

Biology does not drive cognitiveBiology does not drive cognitive

changeschanges

Experience SculptsExperience Sculpts


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PFC BeforePFC Before

PubertyPuberty

PFC Puberty toPFC Puberty to

~20~20

PFC* = Pre-Frontal Cortex; associated with higher-ordered

Visual Depiction of Brain Changes in PFC*Starting at Puberty


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SampleSample Representative sample of 2,280 eleventh gradeRepresentative sample of 2,280 eleventh grade

students from Illinoisstudents from Illinois

LocationLocation::31% urban, 38% suburban, 15% small city, 16% rural31% urban, 38% suburban, 15% small city, 16% rural

GenderGender: 51% female; 49% male: 51% female; 49% male

Ethnicity:Ethnicity:64% European American 13% African American64% European American 13% African American

10% Hispanic10% Hispanic 6% Asian6% Asian1% Pacific Islander and Native American1% Pacific Islander and Native American

6% reported multiple ethnicities or did not respond6% reported multiple ethnicities or did not respond


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Youth Participation inYouth Participation in

Organized Youth ActivitiesOrganized Youth Activities

SportsSports

TeamTeam Basketball, Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball,Basketball, Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball,

Volleyball, Cheerleading, Drill Team, Hockey,Volleyball, Cheerleading, Drill Team, Hockey,

Lacrosse, Majorettes, Water poloLacrosse, Majorettes, Water polo

IndividualIndividual Bowling, Aerobics, Track, Tennis, Golf, Wrestling,Bowling, Aerobics, Track, Tennis, Golf, Wrestling,

Martial Arts, Swim Team, Cross Country,Martial Arts, Swim Team, Cross Country,

Gymnastics, Skating, Ski Team, Diving Team,Gymnastics, Skating, Ski Team, Diving Team,

Racquetball, PepRacquetball, Pep

Performance and Fine ArtsPerformance and Fine Arts

MusicalMusical Band, Choir, OrchestraBand, Choir, Orchestra

PerformancePerformance Dance, DramaDance, Drama

Arts ClubsArts Clubs Art Club, Creative Writing ClubArt Club, Creative Writing Club

A d i Cl b d O i

i


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Academic Clubs and OrganizationsAcademic Clubs and Organizations

EducationalEducational Foreign Language, Math Club, Chess Club, Science Club,Foreign Language, Math Club, Chess Club, Science Club,

Computer Club, Quiz Bowl, Speech Club, Debate, HistoryComputer Club, Quiz Bowl, Speech Club, Debate, History

Club, Psych. Club, Book ClubClub, Psych. Club, Book Club

Student Gov.Student Gov.& Leadership& Leadership

Prom, Student Council, Homecoming, Yearbook, LiteraryProm, Student Council, Homecoming, Yearbook, LiteraryMagazineMagazine

Cultural, SocialCultural, Social

& Honorary& HonoraryEthnic Clubs, NHS, Letterman Club, Kcor Rock Club,Ethnic Clubs, NHS, Letterman Club, Kcor Rock Club,

Lifesavers, Youth & Government, TriMLifesavers, Youth & Government, TriM

Community-OrientedCommunity-Oriented

CommunityCommunityOrg.Org. YMCA, Big Brother/Sister, Scouts, Boys/Girls Club, 4HYMCA, Big Brother/Sister, Scouts, Boys/Girls Club, 4H

Career & Tech. Org.Career & Tech. Org. FFA , FBLA, Junior Achieve, FCCLA, JETS, ROTCFFA , FBLA, Junior Achieve, FCCLA, JETS, ROTC

ServiceService

CommunityCommunity Community Service, Volunteering, Faith-based Service, KeyCommunity Service, Volunteering, Faith-based Service, Key

Club, American Field, Civic Club, Interact, EnvironmentalClub, American Field, Civic Club, Interact, Environmental

Club, Knight BuddiesClub, Knight Buddies

PeerPeer Tutoring, Peer Counseling, Writing CenterTutoring, Peer Counseling, Writing Center


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Youth Experience Survey (YES)Youth Experience Survey (YES)

Identity WorkIdentity WorkI do things here I dont get to do elsewhereI do things here I dont get to do elsewhere

InitiativeInitiativeI set goals form myself in this activityI set goals form myself in this activity

Emotional RegulationEmotional RegulationI learned that my emotions affect how I performI learned that my emotions affect how I perform

Teamwork and Social SkillsTeamwork and Social SkillsHad an opportunity to be in charge of a group of peersHad an opportunity to be in charge of a group of peers

Positive RelationshipsPositive RelationshipsLearned about helping othersLearned about helping others

Adult Networks & Social CapitalAdult Networks & Social Capital

Got to know people in the communityGot to know people in the community


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Identit

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Initiative

otionalR

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Team

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A

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Youth Activities S

PersonalPersonal InterpersonalPersonal


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2.5

3

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Identit

y

Initiativ

e

otionalR

egulation

Team

work

sitiveRelationshi

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Youth Activities

InterpersonalPersonal


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2.5

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Identit

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Initiative

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Identit

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Initiative

otionalR

egulation

Team

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2

2.5

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3.5

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Identit

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Initiative

otionalR

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Team

work

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2

2.5

3

3.5

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Identit

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Initia

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tionalReg

ulatio

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Team

work

veRelat

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AdultNe

tworks

Youth Activities

Faith-based Youth Gro


O i d Y th A ti itiOrgani ed Yo th Acti ities


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Organized Youth ActivitiesOrganized Youth Activities

Compared to Class, Friends,Compared to Class, Friends,

and Joband Job Compared to Academic ClassCompared to Academic Class::

Organized activities significantly higher on all sixOrganized activities significantly higher on all six

domains than academic classdomains than academic class

Part-time WorkPart-time Work:: Mixed findings: work provided many nonacademicMixed findings: work provided many nonacademic

learning opportunities but also higher stresslearning opportunities but also higher stress

Some types of activities were higher on specificSome types of activities were higher on specific

experiences compared to work.experiences compared to work.


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Theory of DevelopmentTheory of Development

Authentic Experience:Authentic Experience:Over-time planning &Over-time planning &

decision makingdecision making

Face obstacles andFace obstacles anddemandsdemands

Engagement withEngagement with

ChallengesChallenges

New Modes of ThinkingNew Modes of Thinking


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ConclusionsConclusions

Re-think how we educate youthRe-think how we educate youth

Create an adult awareness of youthCreate an adult awareness of youth

potentials and possibilitiespotentials and possibilities

Not all participation leads to theNot all participation leads to the

same learningsame learning

Documents

International Conference on Youth Policy and Research: From Theory To