Gang formation is an example of the negative direction the search for membership and belonging can take. The concept of a fashion trend with a large following also exemplifies the need of the masses to feel connected and part of a group while expressing themselves and attracting attention. Ultimately, both choices typically begin, subtly or more overtly, as peer pressure. Peer pressure is a successful tool for bullies because it preys on this human need that surfaces most readily in adolescence to fit in and belong to a group. The positive aspect of peer pressure, however, is peer support. Peer support is peer pressure turned on its head.
The scholars from the Academy for Educational Development write on their website, "Youth development is not a highly sophisticated and complicated prescription for "fixing those troubled kids." Youth development is about people, programs, institutions and systems who provide all youth-"troubled" or not-with the supports and opportunities they need to empower themselves."
In essence, youth are actively developing-for better or for worse. Youth workers and programs make positive youth development happen when they intentionally provide services and engage youth in activities within a safe environment that allow them to express themselves, feel part of a group, test new skills and experience achievement. The reality is that if not guided toward positive choices and provided with ample opportunities to explore, express and garner attention, youth will create their own opportunities or find avenues that may not be those deemed socially acceptable. They will also be more apt to make negative choices if they do not have "buy-in" to a particular activity. Buy-in-the perceived personal benefit and/or investment -is often fueled if the given activity or opportunity is something modeled and/or enjoyed by a peer. Peer support--positive peer pressure--aids in youth development.
As a youth worker, you can use peer-support in various aspects of your programming. Some examples are identified below:
- Peer Counseling-
Youth establish an area and/or time during the scheduled day where they confide in each other and develop goals to respond to any given issue. Variations to this concept include peer mediation, and peer court.
- Youth Facilitators-
Train young people to become the facilitators of your program. While the youth facilitators learn valuable skills in leadership, the youth they facilitate will have viable youth leaders as models for behavior, creating an ideal cycle of behavior.
- Youth Leadership Boards-
Program youth form a committee that makes decisions in tandem with the adult program staff as representatives of the youth attending the program. These boards are helpful in planning and motivating youth who are not on the board to participate in program activities.
Khadijah Ali-Coleman - Khadijah Ali-Coleman was the founding writer for the Youth Development site here on www.suite101.com. Khadijah Ali-Coleman is based in ...
