NCJ Number
215939
Journal
Youth & Society Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: September 2006 Pages: 90-109
Date Published
September 2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study explored the perceptions of youth and adults regarding their involvement and interactions working together in adult-youth community groups.
Abstract
Results indicated gender differences in perceptions, with adult and young females being more positive about the three main constructs under analysis: youth involvement, adult involvement, and youth-adult interactions. Differences also emerged between rural and urban youth, with rural youth being significantly more positive toward youth involvement. Youth involvement in urban areas was perceived to be at a low level by both urban youth and adults. Other findings revealed that both adult and youth participants in youth-led projects were more positive toward youth involvement and youth-adult interactions than were adult and youth participants in adult-led projects. The authors recommend that in order to increase the positive perceptions of adult and young men involved in community programs, strategies must target utilizing and valuing their unique skills and abilities. Strategies for engaging urban youth must focus on fostering trust between youth and adults who do not have a history of working together. Participants were a convenience sample of 55 youth and 53 adults who were involved in the Engaging Youth Serving Community (EYSC) Initiative, which provided youth and adults with opportunities to work together on community-oriented projects. Participants completed involvement and interaction rating scales that measured three constructs: (1) youth involvement; (2) adult involvement; and (3) youth-adult interaction. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t tests were used to compare the perceptions of youth and adult participants. Continued research is called for on the differences between adults and youth involved in community groups. Tables, note, references