What I already knew:
- I already knew about the three elements that has an influence on youth development, such as family, school and community-based programs.
- I learned what the deficit approach is in another class but I learned more about it from reading the article.
What I learned:
- I learned that "deficit approach" was to target and "fix" specific problem behaviors, such as teen pregnancy or drug abuse.
-I learned that the deficit approach failed because the approach focused on changing specific behaviors and not young people's basic developmental needs.
- I learned about the Leading the Youth Development Movement. I learned that the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development helped shift the thinking of policymakers nationwide, through publications focusing on how to effectively support young peoples healthy development.
- I learned that due to the three elements: family, school and community-based programs they realized that young people deemed "at risk" need the same kinds of rich and wide-ranging supports and opportunities for healthy development that are more readily available to young people in middle class communities. Regardless of what "class" they are in all students should have access to the same resources and opportunities. Why did they not already know that regardless of the class the students are in they should all have equal support, resources, etc?
What I want to know more about:
-What I never understood is if there is as much money as they say there is going into schools, why are youth development programs not in schools? Where does all the money go?
- Why did they solely focus on the "negative behaviors" and not the underlying needs that could be contributing to their negative behaviors?
I have the same question as you with youth development programs. Why aren't these programs being brought into schools? These programs are very beneficial to students and their academic success. They should consider implementing the more important things and using school money for it. I also believe that every student should have access to the same resources and opportunities as everyone else
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking the same question where does all the money go if it is not going into the youth development programs. Everything you said make sense. I agree with what you said here "Why did they not already know that regardless of the class the students are in they should all have equal support, resources, etc?" I understand that some students need more help then others but they should tell give them the equal support no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post Andreya! Love your questions--we should definitely take some time to explore school and after-school budgets together. I really appreciate your second question--why don't folks look at the root causes? BIG question and one that we will continue to explore. What do you think? Do you have any intuitions or ideas? My sense is it has something to do with the complexity of addressing root causes, with long-held systemic oppression and with folks not wanting to give up privilege, power and wealth!
ReplyDeleteHi Andreya,
ReplyDeleteI think we live in society where we are quick to blame individuals for all of their challenges that they may face, and sure some challenges could come up from the actions of an individual, however many challenges people face can be connected back to a larger picture which includes a system that does not have all of our best interests in mind, sadly. Its easier for them to shift the blame towards the individual and give bandaid fixes than acknowledge the full picture at hand, to fix the bigger problem would take time and money most likely and those are two things the system would rather not spend, but we can fix this; i think so at least.