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Older
Youth
Youth
Development Programs for Young People Aged 15 to 19
About
the Major Developmental Changes
Adolescence
has been described by some as a time of "storm and stress"
and a time where one moment the teen acts as an adult and the next
a child. Teens can be challenging, changing, wonderfully creative
and stimulating individuals at this time of their development. It
is also a time when a teen’s interest in club or group activities
may change.
Older teens
are still going through emotional, social and physical changes,
just as they were in early adolescence; however, their need for
adult support and leadership have changed. The needs of this group
vary just as they do for youth at other ages of development.
-
Thinking
changes:
Older teens may think about the world differently than younger
youth aged 12 to 14. Though every teen is different, this is
a time when teens in general want to be recognized as unique
individuals and to be involved with activities and events that
will help them explore their personal development, friendships
and relationships with others. At this age, teens are looking
for ways to demonstrate their independence, which they equate
with getting a drivers license and making more of their own
decisions.
In addition
to wanting to be more independent, they’re also making decisions
about their future. This is a time for exploring and preparing
for future careers. Many are concerned about what types of jobs
they may be qualified for and concerned about their ability to
succeed in the world of work. Choices are being made about colleges,
trade schools or moving directly into the job market upon completion
of high school.
-
Social
changes: Many older teens prefer to carry out tasks with
little or no supervision and have the ability to accomplish
many tasks on their own. Relationship skills may be well developed
and friendships that are formed can be very long-lasting. Teens
at this age may meet the person they plan to marry and in some
instances get married and/or have children.
Adults who
work with youth at this age find that to be effective with this
age group, they must take on different roles than they did when
the youths were younger. They become facilitators and allow teens
to take on more of a leadership role. Adults become mentors or
advisors, helping to arrange new experiences for teens, yet letting
the teens take more responsibility and act more independently.
Teens want adults to be resources, friends and someone who is
available to help guide them when needed.
Six
"Jobs" of Older Youth
Each stage of
life has "jobs" that each individual needs to learn in
order to go on and live a healthy or productive life. Many people
who study human development believe that if the "jobs"
at a particular stage are not learned, people get "stuck"
at this stage of development and will be less successful (at work,
at home and within themselves) than those who master their "jobs."
Older adolescents have six interrelated "jobs" to accomplish
during this stage of their lives:
- Increase
and maintain knowledge of self and self-esteem.
- Learn to
be increasingly responsible and make complex decisions.
- Set goals
and develop strategies to reach those goals.
- Become increasingly
independent from parents.
- Develop strong
relationship skills.
- Increase
interpersonal communications skills.
Today these
"life skills" are still necessary. If we expect youth
to go into adulthood in a positive way, we can plan experiences
for them to develop the "jobs" listed above.
Adapted from:
Ages
and Stages of Child and Youth Development: A Guide for 4-H Leaders,
Jeanne Karnes, graduate assistant and Judith A. Myers-Walls,
Extension Specialist, Human Development, Department of Child Development
and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1989.
Michigan
4-H Programming Committees, A Plan for the Future, Christine
Nelson, former 4-H Program Leader and Extension Specialist, Child
and Family Ecology, Michigan State University, September 1990.
4-H
Resources for Working With Older Youth
Michigan 4-H
Youth Development has activities and programs designed and planned
for and with young people to help older adolescents develop the
skills they need to succeed:
- Capitol
Experience
An annual 4-day conference for older youth aged 15 and up. The
event and supporting learning materials focus on citizenship and
public policy education.
- Character
Education
A community-based approach to teaching young people six values
that transcend the divisions of politics, religion, race, gender
and social class – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility,
fairness, caring and citizenship. Activities are available in
six age groups, including teens.
- Natural
Helpers
A peer-helping program used across the United States with middle
school and high school students. The training workshops are designed
to strengthen communication and helping skills in young people.
The program also prepares young people to provide support to others
and service to their schools and community. Michigan 4-H Youth
Development has trainers for Natural Helpers programs.
- Peer
Plus, Group Dynamite and Youth Experiencing Action (YEA)
This workshop offers opportunities for teens aged 14 and up and
the adults who work with them to learn about themselves and about
group interaction, team-building, peer helping and community service.
The workshop is supported by learning materials designed to encourage
personal exploration and team building.
Learning
Materials
More information on learning
materials available to support these activities can be found in the Michigan
Guide to 4-H or through the MSU
Bulletin Office.
Training
& Events
For upcoming training and
events in this area, check the 4-H
Volunteer Workshops web site, the MSU
Extension Calendar and the 4-H
Exploration Days web site.
Contact
Information
For more information on
how to get involved as a youth
or volunteer,
contact your county MSU Extension
office or:
Cynthia B.
Mark,
Ph.D., Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: 517-432-7575
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: markc@msu.edu
Copyright
© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Michigan State University
Last Updated: September 27, 2007
Last Reviewed:
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Guide
to Michigan 4-H
