NCJ Number
59105
Date Published
1978
Length
193 pages
Annotation
THIS VOLUME PRESENTS A DESIGN FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY AIMED AT BOTH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION.
Abstract
THE DESIGN WAS PREPARED BY THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE CENTER FOR ACTION RESEARCH UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE. THE DESIGN'S ELEMENTS AIM TO IMPLEMENT THE SET OF PROPOSITIONS CALLED A STRATEGY FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 1971. THE STRATEGY FOCUSED ON THE QUESTION OF HOW MOST YOUTH BECOME USEFUL, PRODUCTIVE, AND CONTRIBUTING ADULTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IT CONCLUDED THAT THIS PROCESS OCCURS THROUGH DEVELOPING OF SENSES OF COMPETENCE, USEFULNESS, BELONGING, AND POWER. THE STRATEGY EXAMINED HOW ARRANGEMENTS IN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS EDUCATION, WORK, THE FAMILY, AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AFFECT YOUTH FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL. IT ASSERTS THAT A HEALTHY COURSE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INVOLVES ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL, RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL ROLES IN EACH OF THE MAJOR SOCIALIZING INSTITUTIONS (HOME, SCHOOL, AND WORK), POSITIVE LABELS AND FAVORABLE SELF-IMAGES, AND ACCEPTANCE AND INTEGRATION INTO CONVENTIONAL INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STRATEGY ARE EXAMINED IN FOUR AREAS OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT: EDUCATION, WORK, DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, AND DIVERSION. THE BASIS CONCEPTS OF INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE AND ORGANIZATIONAL AND INTERORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE ARE ALSO PRESENTED, TOGETHER WITH APPLICATIONS. FOOTNOTES, A REFERENCE LIST, AND AN APPENDIX PRESENTING A CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS AFFECTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)