Summer Community Newsletter 2009

Last Updated (Tuesday, 08 June 2010 15:37) Written by Morgan Johnston Wednesday, 25 November 2009 14:52

Community Newsletter

Tena koe

“I’d rather be judged than ignored”

A casual yet poignant discussion between friends ended in a thought about the relationship between youth and the wider community.  ‘I’d rather be judged than ignored’ were my friend’s words.  Having just read a report on New Zealand youth gangs (Eggleston, 2000) I was struck by my friend’s words and wondered about this dynamic in relation to young New Zealand males who join gangs.

To be judged; to be seen through another’s eyes; thought about and formed an opinion around or to be ignored; to cease to exist in another’s eyes, to be unthinkable and snubbed out.  The lesser evil in this case seems clear.  Do young people feel this in the identity consolidating time of adolescence?

From my personal experience, indifference is the nemesis of youth who need to bang up against something and feel a response.  It is engagement, connection and realness that make the difference.

In the midst of raging hormones, navigating the path to adulthood, and as identified by the Eggleston’s youth participants; the very important gender identity building, the gang helps to fill a gap that perhaps communities are struggling to fill.  Eggleston’s research showed that over riding most gang activity was the togetherness and social life it created; an oasis for the need for affiliation and belonging.  Gangs provide young people just what they need!

Communities need to offer young people meaningful alternatives.

Rather than working to fix and treat problems we need to be building multiple and diverse pathways where young people can be involved in meaningful ways in the community.

Youthline celebrates 40 years of service to the community in 2010. I was reflecting on what really makes a difference when working in this sector and come back to a principle that was fundamental in when Youthline started.

At the very beginning Youthline was about engagement; bringing young people into leadership roles as a central part of our organisation’s work in the community.

At a wider community level this fundamental is vital if we are going to achieve Youthline vision of developing communities where young people are supported to reach their potential.

Youthline has stood the test of time and we can celebrate generations of amazing people young and not so young who have woven the work of this great organisation into the fabric of New Zealand’s society.

Look out for the calendar of events in 2010 marking 40 years of service to communities around New Zealand.

I wish you and your families the very best for the festive season.

Meri Kirihimete