NCJ Number
110569
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 20-22
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Intergenerational programs that bring youths and senior citizens and other adults from the community represent an important approach to aiding the development of at-risk youths, particularly adolescents.
Abstract
These programs rest on the concept that significant adults are the essential carriers of the culture's wisdom either in an official manner as through the teacher in the classroom or in the more informal setting of the home and community. They also recognize that some youths have been affected adversely by public policies designed to help them. For example, policies to raise the quality of schools have not been accompanied by the provision of added assistance to students with learning problems. These changes and economic realities have forced many youths to seek employment instead of completing their education. We need to recognize that students have the right to expect our help when they need it and that adults have the responsibility to provide them with some reasonable level of assistance. Although schools can teach some essential skills, the most relevant life skills are learned in less formal contacts with adults outside of school. However, young people are separated from older people in many ways, and the previous ways of solving youths' difficulties may no longer be appropriate or adequate. Intergenerational programs that bring youths and adults together in new and creative ways in the school and the community represent an approach that holds much promise for achieving positive impacts on both youths and adults. Examples of programs and 3 references.