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Sports are activities enjoyed by many across the globe, regardless of age. The existence and promotion of youth sports has often been based on various assumptions about its value and role in society. Sports participation is assumed to be fun and good and is assumed to contribute to the development of young people. As a result, sports are often seen as an essential part of life for youth. Participation in sports and physical activity is assumed to help young people to develop in a context in which they are able to learn important positive societal values (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005; Holt, 2008). Although there is a widespread belief in the positive dimensions of sports participation for young people, there is a need for research and theory that identifies and critically looks at the processes through which sports participation by youth is experienced and shapes their lives (Coakley, 2011). I return to this critical perspective after I elaborate on the ways sports are viewed as important effective activities for positive youth development.
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In a society with increasingly unequal access to opportunities and an expanding pressure on youngsters to perform, safe spaces where socially vulnerable youngsters are allowed to learn and develop valuable skills are highly important. In the Youngsterdam project, professional youth workers support these youngsters in organizing their own activities through applying the method Youth Organizing. This youth work method invites and motivates youngsters to organize activities initiated by themselves. Through these non-formal learning experiences, youngsters experience positive encounters with peers and others from their neighbourhood – increasing their social participation – have the opportunity to develop their talents, and gain insights into their future. In addition, they could learn to bear responsibility and gain useful communication and organization skills.
Innovative in this approach is the application of Open Badges: a digital system for the (international) recognition of non-formal learning experiences. This tool can enhance youngsters’ learning process by continuously motivating them to learn and allowing for (self-)recognition of skills and experiences.
In a learning community of youth workers, researchers, students and social work educators we aim to co-create knowledge focused on the following question: To what extent does Youth Organizing in combination with Open Badges motivate youngsters to gain new learning experiences in a voluntary, non-formal learning environment? Under supervision of researchers, Social Work students will obtain empirical data through structured observations and in-depth interviews with youngsters and youth workers. Additionally, through this learning community, youth workers can reflect on their own actions and methods. Results are expected in Winter 2022.
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The present study evaluates the Youth Initiated Mentoring (YIM) approach in which families and youth care professionals collaborate with an informal mentor, who is someone adolescents (aged twelve to twenty-three) nominate from their own social network. The informal mentor can be a relative, neighbour or friend, who is a confidant and spokesman for the youth and a co-operation partner for parents and professionals. This approach fits with the international tendency in social work to make use of the strengths of families’ social networks and to stimulate client participation. The current study examined through case-file analysis of 200 adolescents (YIM group n ¼ 96, residential comparison group n ¼ 104) whether the YIM approach would be a promising alternative for out-of-home placement of youth with complex needs. A total of 83 per cent of the juveniles in the YIM group were able to nominate a mentor after an average of thirty-three days. Ninety per cent of the adolescents in the YIM group received ambulatory treatment as an alternative for indicated out-of-homeplacement, while their problems were largely comparable with those of juveniles in Dutch semi-secure residential care. Results suggest that the involvement of important non-parental adults may help to prevent out-of-home placement of adolescents with complex needs.
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Youth with chronic diseases or physical disabilities (CDPD) often show reduced fitness and physical activity (PA) levels and participate less in organized sports compared with healthy peers. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between participation in sports and health-related fitness and PA in youth with CDPD. A total of 163 subjects (mean age 14 years; range 8-19 years) with CDPD were included in this cross-sectional study, with 81 participating in organized sports and 82 not. Subjects were recruited between October 2014 and November 2016. Aerobic and anaerobic fitness, agility, and muscle strength were assessed in the laboratory, whereas PA was monitored in daily life using accelerometry during 1 week. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations of sports participation (independent variable) with health-related fitness and PA (dependent variables). Results show that youth with CDPD participating in organized sports 2 times a week performed better on all outcome measures. They reached a higher peak oxygen uptake (difference of 4.9 ml O2·kg-1·min-1, P = 0.001) compared with their peers not participating in sports. Also, anaerobic fitness, agility, muscle strength, and PA were all positively associated with sports participation. Moreover, the association between sports participation and aerobic fitness was mediated by PA for 31% (P = 0.045). In conclusion, participation in sports is associated with both higher levels of PA and health-related fitness in youth with CDPD. Promotion and stimulation of participation in sports seems a good way to promote health-related fitness as well as a healthy active lifestyle in youth with CDPD.
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Hoofdstuk in The history of youth work in Europe and its relevance for youth policy today. Youth work in the Netherlands goes back a long way and since the 1970s has taken on a rather strong professional image. During the last decades, it went through some hard times, but recently it has undergone a revival and revaluation. (Griensven & Smeets, 2003). The first section of this paper is about how the characteristics of the Dutch affect social work and youth work concepts. The second part discusses the Dutch framework for youth work: definition, fields of activities, core tasks and the ambiguous relationship between youth work and social work. The third section deals with the history of youth work. The paper concludes with a reflection on the future directions that youth work could take. The article is based on Dutch historical research, some by the author, and the author’s involvement in youth work, both as a youth worker and editor- in- chief of the semi-scientific journal Jeugd en samenleving.
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The studies presented in this dissertation have shown that fostering the vocational identity of at-risk youth can be improved when their different individual characteristics are taken into account and when preferences of at-risk youth and their mentors concerning mentor qualities are addressed during mentoring sessions. Tuning in to these differences and needs implies customization in programming and mentoring. This dissertation has contributed to efforts to reconnect with at-risk youth and keep them on track at school and work, resulting in better future prospects and an independent and sustainable position in society.
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When it comes to hard to solve problems, the significance of situational knowledge construction and network coordination must not be underrated. Professional deliberation is directed toward understanding, acting and analysis. We need smart and flexible ways to direct systems information from practice to network reflection, and to guide results from network consultation to practice. This article presents a case study proposal, as follow-up to a recent dissertation about online simulation gaming for youth care network exchange (Van Haaster, 2014).
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This dissertation aimed to shed light on the role of the social network in supporting urban at-risk youths. The findings presented highlight the importance of recognizing that at-risk youths’ social sources may not always adequately meet their needs, possibly because the bonding social networks are under some of the same stressors as youth themselves. Findings suggested that this lower social support is often associated, or has consequences for, youths’ wellbeing. The studies also demonstrated the importance of adjusting support to the needs of these youths’ and to provide them with additional instrumental and informational support from bridging social networks. This additional support may come from supportive non-parental adults in mentoring programs. The findings in this dissertation provide empirical evidence for the fundamental role of relationship quality in order to profit from mentoring. Results also indicated that mentoring is not a one-size fits all approach. Moreover, youths’ needs in mentoring may vary along their life stage and intra-individual needs. To conclude, this dissertation illustrates how youths’ social networks and their well-being can benefit from a formal mentor, and offers suggestions of how mentoring can equip youth with skills and competences that outlast the mentoring relation.
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Developing autonomy is a pre-requisite for meaningful participation in society. However, youth leaving secure residential youth care (SRYC) relate that treatment does not prepare them well enough to stand on their own feet. Too often these youth are not involved in decisions regarding their own life and future. The original aim of the present study was to develop an instrument for youth leaving SRYC that evaluates the development of autonomy and participation and puts their perspective central. We chose for participatory design-based research. Several design and evaluation cycles were followed using a combination of qualitative research methods. First, the design requirements regarding purpose, form, and content of the instrument were developed in an iterative process with youth and staff. An important result was that the purpose had to be changed. Youth needed a tool supporting the development of autonomy and participation. The tool was designed and called My Path, and invites youth to reflect on what they want with their life and future and to work on this future in small steps. An instruction manual for professionals explains how to put the youth in the lead while they seek and follow their path. A pilot study provided evidence for the usability and trustworthiness of this method to strengthen autonomy and meaningful participation for youth in SRYC. My Path appeared more broadly applicable due to its normalizing approach. In-depth training of professionals is needed to work with My Path while making sure the youth is steadily in the lead. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43151-020-00029-x
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