NCJ Number
207264
Journal
Social Policy Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: Fall 1999 Pages: 20-29
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the way in which young people are viewed in society and the goal of the William T. Grant Foundation, which is to focus on youth as a resource, is enumerated.
Abstract
The way in which society as a whole views young people is constantly changing, evolving as public images and ideologies of youth evolve. The events of April 1999 changed the way in which society views adolescents, transforming young people into violent suspects. The William T. Grant Foundation, on the other hand, focuses on young people as contributors to society, rather than as problems for society to solve. The author, who is the president of the William T. Grant Foundation, outlines the view of the Foundation and calls upon researchers to focus on how to help youth reach their potential. She claims that youth should be the focus of research and policy for four main reasons: (1) their sheer numbers, which currently outpace the number of youth in America at the height of the baby boom; (2) the teen population is ethnically diverse, presenting opportunities to influence how different ethnic groups interact with one another; (3) youth should be encouraged to become both economically and socially productive members of society; and (4) the time of transition from childhood to adulthood has expanded, altering the developmental period in the life course. By capitalizing on youth’s fresh approach, talents, and energy, young people can be offered a meaningful role in society, one that transcends the current role of adolescents in society. The author analyzes the shifting role of youth in America, including the shift of adolescents from producers to consumers. The argument is extended that youth are not benefiting from the flourishing American society, and are viewed as threats to the well-being of others, rather than vital participants of the community. As we enter a new millennium, the William T. Grant Foundation encourages the Nation to value its youth and focus on youth as a resource.