California Afterschool Network Understanding Today’s “Youth Culture”

California Afterschool California Afterschool NetworkNetwork

Understanding Understanding Today’s Today’s

““Youth Culture”Youth Culture”

“Youth Influencing Forces” Comparison Study

Univ. of Minn. – 1950’s

MEE Corp. – 2000

1. Home

2. School

3. Church

1. Peers

3. Television

2. Music

California Afterschool California Afterschool NetworkNetwork

YYouthouthCCulturalulturalCCompetenceompetence

Youth CulturalYouth CulturalCompetenceCompetence

What is YCC?What is YCC?Plain and simple, YCC is the ability to understand the Plain and simple, YCC is the ability to understand the

social, emotional & mental dynamics of adolescent social, emotional & mental dynamics of adolescent youth and their development. youth and their development.

For example; during the adolescent years youth For example; during the adolescent years youth become more aware and conscious of self-image; the become more aware and conscious of self-image; the way they dress, the way they talk, who they hang out way they dress, the way they talk, who they hang out

with, etc. The understanding of these dynamics paired with, etc. The understanding of these dynamics paired with how we engage and interact w/ them – can with how we engage and interact w/ them – can significantly increase our ability to motivate and significantly increase our ability to motivate and

inspire them.inspire them.


Youth Development Youth Development and and

Research FundResearch Fund(YDRF)(YDRF)

www.ydrf.comwww.ydrf.com

“Rhodes Scholar, Jay Macleod suggests that teachers/youth workers need not have a black belt in karate,

place a premium on machismo, swear in class, or have working-class roots

like most students, however, they must be prepared to validate the identities that their students have taken on as

part of growing up” - Countering the Urban Influence



Why YCC?Why YCC?““The Business Model”The Business Model”

ASP = BusinessASP = Business Services = ProductServices = Product Students = ConsumersStudents = Consumers Funding = ProfitFunding = Profit

Consumer x Product = ProfitConsumer x Product = ProfitOr Or

Student x Services = FundingStudent x Services = Funding


Why YCC?Why YCC?According to Business Weekly – According to Business Weekly –

3 Keys to Business Success…3 Keys to Business Success…

1.1. Know what you do (and what you don’t do)Know what you do (and what you don’t do)* Broaden the vision, narrow the focus* Broaden the vision, narrow the focus

2. 2. Manage your cash flow (very closely)Manage your cash flow (very closely)

3. 3. Know who it is you serve (and focus on them intensely)Know who it is you serve (and focus on them intensely)


Why YCC?Why YCC?In Afterschool Programs…In Afterschool Programs…

1.1. Their interests drive our attendance!Their interests drive our attendance!

2.2. Their attendance drives our funding!Their attendance drives our funding!

3.3. Our funding drives our jobs!Our funding drives our jobs!

4.4. Our jobs…drive the future!Our jobs…drive the future!

Who am I?

http://www.starpulse.com/Music/E-40/gallery/E40RAPWB001/


Teen SmartTeen SmartName the current music artist/s who perform the Name the current music artist/s who perform the

following songs:following songs:

1. Hip Hop Category:1. Hip Hop Category: “Empire State of Mind”“Empire State of Mind”

2. Pop Category:2. Pop Category: “Sexy Chick”“Sexy Chick”

3. Alternative Category:3. Alternative Category: “Use Somebody”“Use Somebody”

4. R&B Category:4. R&B Category: “Hard”“Hard”


Teen SmartTeen SmartPlease define the following “teen” expressions:Please define the following “teen” expressions:

1.1.““Breezy”Breezy”

2.2.““Scrap”Scrap”

3.3.““Jerkin’”Jerkin’”

4.4.““Ghost Ridin”Ghost Ridin”

What’s Going on in There; What’s Going on in There; Understanding Adolescent Brain DevelopmentUnderstanding Adolescent Brain Development

Presented by: Lori A. Hoffner

Speaker~Trainer~Consultant Supporting CommUnity, Inc.

[email protected]

720-353-2863

http://www.supportingcommunity.com/

Why Do They Act That Way?A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and Your Teen.David Walsh, Ph.D.

The Adolescent Brain1.Relies greatly on the early childhood experience/development2.Is dealing w/ fastest point of “human growth”3.Working hard to make the shift from “concrete” to “abstract” thinking4.Is blossoming…but needs to lots of pruning5.Experiencing “windows of opportunity”6.Experiencing “windows of sensitivity”7.Myelination (insulating of nerve cells)8.Major Hormonal Surges

The Adolescent Brain (con’t)

1.Major Mood Swings

2.Major Energy Swings

3.Teenage “laziness”

4.Sleep Rhythms

Non-Productive Things to Say Non-Productive Things to Say to an Adolescentto an Adolescent

“What were you thinking”

“Act your age”

“Grow up”

It is normal for an adolescent to…It is normal for an adolescent to…

Argue for the sake of arguingJump to conclusionsBe self-centeredConstantly find fault in the adult’s positionBe overly dramatic

YOUTH CULTURAL COMPETENCE

• Youth Involvement• Positive Peer Influence• Youth Popular Culture

A system-wide set of principles and practices that promote an increased understanding and appreciation

of youth involvement, youth popular culture, and positive peer influence; and utilizes these mechanisms

to promote academic & personal achievement.


YouthYouthInvolvementInvolvement

Columbia University researchers Peter Bearman and Hannah Bruckner identify five levels of adolescent peer

relationships:

1:single best friends2:immediate friendship circle 3:larger peer group (sub-cultures)

4:leading school crowd 5:the entire school/community

Positive Peer Positive Peer Influence Influence

Utilizing the Power of Peer Utilizing the Power of Peer InfluenceInfluence

Peer Leaders:Ricky, Veronica & Martin

Peer Followers:Johnny, Sally, Lawrence

Deanna, Tanya & Felix

STEP 1: Engage heavily, build rapport, establish trust and mutual respect

STEP 2:

Offer “desirable” opportunity to lead positive/productive initiative or act (may require an incentive)

STEP 4: Create an on-going structure of “feeling” that works to continuously “validate” their participation

STEP 3: Utilize their influence on their peers strategically to recruit the interest of others

Youth Popular Youth Popular CultureCulture

If Corporate America is doing it…why aren’t we?

(Skippy Commercial)

Youth Popular Youth Popular CultureCulture

Research has shown when adults devalue the cultural interests/identity of a young person, they are in fact devaluing that young person him/herself.

So in a society where so many young people are willing to die for the ambiguous concept of “respect,” why would we think they would take their educational opportunities serious when they are “disrespected” by adults in the educational environment constantly??

““8-Track” 8-Track” Programs in Programs in a a MP3 WorldMP3 World

The Youth The Youth Engagement InitiativeEngagement Initiative

Documents

California Afterschool Network Understanding Today’s “Youth Culture”