Day 10: Wednesday, July 14, 10

*Apologies for the late post!!!*

Agenda:

• 5 Minute Paper
• Power of Relationship
• Break
• Activity
• Announcements

5 Minute Paper Topic:

What was the most powerful adult relationship you had when you were young/a child/a teenager?

Sharing of 5 Min. Paper: (relationship + age of person= support given)

Older Brother (12)= emotional, promise kept
Mother's Boyfriend (30)= taught discipline, martial arts, trust, father figure
Assistant Educator (21)= emotional; encouragement; self-esteem
Grandmother (ongoing)= always there; role model
Adopted Dad (22)= father figure; always there; sense of placement; took care
Cousin (30s)= encouragement; emotional; talk/listen; non judgemental
Teacher (35)= influential; repsected youth
Next Door Neighbor (13)= accepting; good listener

Key Facts from 5 Min. Sharing that help with Adult/Youth Relationships:

• Patience
• Emotional Support
• Reliability
• Influential
• Respect/Trust
• Encouragement
• Listening/Good communication

Adult/Youth Relationships:

• adults have a lot of influence on youth whether positive or negative; youth need high/clear expectations, consistant guidance, and accountability...

General Adult Attitudes Toward Youth:

• "Skank"
• "look down" on youth*
• Youth have lower mentality
• Trouble makers
• "All they do is smoke!"
• The Future (whether positive or negative)
• Demand respect no matter what/authority figure*
• Unpredictable
• Feel Sad, responsible, or confused
• Scared of youth

Common Reaction: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy- (in youth's mind) "Since they think I'm this or doing this, then I might as well be that or do this."

Activity:
Answer these questions within your group (sharing will be done first thing in class Thurs, July 15, 10)

1. How can adults help youth/children feel valued?
2. Are relationships between adults and children different from adults and youth? How? Why?
3. How can you turn a negative relationship with a child/youth into a positive?