Rosemary V. Barnett

Bridging Community and Youth Development: Exploring Theory, Research, and Application

Internationally there is a growing recognition of the need for theory, research, and applied programming that contributes to our understanding of both community and youth development (Brennan, 2008; McGrath, Brennan, Dolan, & Barnett, 2009). The merger of these two fields of study is important as both can be seen as interdependent and directly shaping each other. Current program and policy debates concerning the bridging youth and community development have pointed to the need to explore the process by which both emerge more systematically. In response, this special issue of Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society brings together a wide range of theoretical, empirical, and applied research articles that expand our understanding of the interrelation between youth and community development. While exhibiting great diversity in their methodology, theoretical viewpoints, and models for application, the authors of this special issue are united in their focus on the importance of bringing together youth and community development, as well as promoting the symbiotic relationships of each. The bridging of the two fields of inquiry contribute to a wide range of impacts. Civically engaged youth become empowered to become problem solvers, decision makers, and committed leaders in their community in the future (Barnett & Brennan, 2006). Through the interaction of youth and a wider citizen audience, a more representative voice is provided that reflects the diverse needs and wants of the community. Such interaction sets the stage for the emergence of community (Wilkinson, 1991). Equally important through involvement in their communities, youth gain important protective factors and achieve mastery in social competence, personal efficacy, and sense of purpose, as well as important links to community. Such engagement can set the stage for clearly identified youth roles and long-term participation in the community development process. This special issue brings together a diverse range of experts including academics, extension faculty, and two UNESCO chairs (Pat Dolan and David Driskell) actively exploring the community-youth development interface. Through their work, a mix of quantitative, qualitative, and applied research is provided. All focus on: (a) expanding the theoretical and applied linkages between community and youth development; and (b) exploring the process by which youth civic engagement can contribute to community development, as well as individual personal development among youth and adults. Both goals are invaluable to on-going research, program, and policy efforts designed to better integrate youth into the community development process, as well as to contribute to the social and psychological development of diverse community residents. It is our hope that this special issue will further contribute to dialogue, research, and applied programming that enhances and better merges the process of community and youth development. COMMUNITY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Historically, youth input in local decision making, problem solving, and community action has received only limited attention. It is also often the case that only token gestures have been presented to youth, resulting in limited contributions to long-term community involvement. Similarly, a process for clearly defining youth roles, responsibilities, and ownership has often been lacking in applied programming. However, recent trends suggest that youth are being called upon to play increasingly important roles in the development of their communities (Huber, Frommeyer, Weisenbach, & Sazama, 2003). As non-profits, volunteer groups, and non-governmental organizations take on greater responsibilities in providing for local well-being, the active contribution of youth is vital to the long-term success of development efforts (Barnett & Brennan, 2006). Similarly, as service learning activities become a more standardized component of high school and college programs, youth are better positioned to contribute to sustainable community development efforts. …

Enhancing Local Capacity and Youth Involvement in the Community Development Process

A need exists for program and policymakers to better understand the factors that influence youth involvement in the community development process. Historically, youth input in local decision-making, problem solving, and community action strategies has received only limited attention. However, recent trends suggest that youth are playing an increasingly important role in the development of their communities. As non-profits, volunteer groups, and nongovernmental organizations take on greater responsibilities in providing for local well-being, the active contribution of youth is vital to the long-term success of development efforts. The importance of youth involvement is particularly relevant in communities throughout Florida, which faces extensive growth pressures, significant sociodemographic changes, and a growing youth population. This study of Florida youth explores the motivations, social interactions, obstacles, impact beliefs, and community attachments that shape youth involvement in their communities. Based on the findings, implications for program and policy development are provided.

The Intersection of Youth and Community Development in Ireland and Florida: Building Stronger Communities through Youth Civic Engagement

Increasingly, researchers and practitioners have begun to explore the intersection between youth and community development, and how these fields of study shape one another. Drawing on data from 607 youth in Ireland and Florida, this article explores the relationships between sociodemographics, social ties, attachment, social supports, quality of life, and interaction on youth civic engagement. These variables continue to surface as indicators of youth community development leading to interactions that may strengthen and benefit communities. This research uncovered similarities as well as distinctly different factors shaping youth activities in these two locations. Overall, social interaction, friendships, and local quality of life were found to be important in all locations. Variables unique to the context of each place were also found to be significant. By considering an interactive and dynamic relationship between community and youth development, stronger communities can emerge. Based on these findings, as well as other emerging research, youth and community development specialists will need to more clearly identify roles and responsibilities for youth in the community building process.

The Effects of Gender Role Conflict on Adolescent and Emerging Adult Male Resiliency

This study examines gender role conflict in adolescent and emerging adult males and how it affects their resilience, or their ability to “bounce back” from adverse circumstances. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of the different patterns of gender role conflict on male adolescent/emerging adult resilience. Results suggest a complex relationship between male gender role conflict and resilience in this sample. Multiple regression modeling showed that as conflict surrounding the Success, Power and Competition (SPC) pattern increased, these male youth reported more resilience. Conversely, as conflict surrounding the Restrictive Emotionality (RE) pattern increased, male youth reported less resilience. Further study is needed to explore these relationships and their effects in adolescent and emerging adult males more closely. More specifically, research should focus on the gender socialization process, the development of gender role conflict, and its effects on male youth throughout the gender development process.

The Effects of Religiosity and Sibling Relationships On the Timing of Sexual Debut

ABTRACT. This study examined the effects of religiosity and sibling relationships on the timing of sexual debut. The sample was comprised of 352 students randomly selected from a university in the Southeastern United States. Sibling relationships had a small but significant effect on the timing of sexual debut. There was a higher chance of an individual not having had, or delaying, their sexual debut when their sibling relationships were characterized by low sibling warmth/closeness, high sibling relative status/power, high sibling conflict, and low sibling rivalry. Religiosity had a significant effect, with higher levels of religiosity resulting in later age of sexual debut. Furthermore, level of religiosity was more significant in emerging adulthood than in adolescence. Both sibling relationships and religiosity independently had an effect on the timing of sexual debut. Implications for research and practice are discussed.