Comments on: Easier to talk with a youth or an adult? http://www.rethinkresources.net/2008/07/23/easier-to-talk-with-a-youth-or-an-adult/ rethink your ideas about youth in the sex trade Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:04:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Claudine http://www.rethinkresources.net/2008/07/23/easier-to-talk-with-a-youth-or-an-adult/#comment-460 Claudine Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:04:57 +0000 http://www.rethinkresources.net/?p=298#comment-460 Welcome Alexa - thanks for the comment. So true - peer education is awesome all the way around! Welcome Alexa - thanks for the comment. So true - peer education is awesome all the way around!

]]> By: Claudine http://www.rethinkresources.net/2008/07/23/easier-to-talk-with-a-youth-or-an-adult/#comment-459 Claudine Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:03:58 +0000 http://www.rethinkresources.net/?p=298#comment-459 Thanks Gemini Girl - you totally brought up a great point that I almost decided to go into more - that shared experience is complicated too. Some youth want to talk with someone from an outside, as you said fresh perspective. Plus it can be a bit illusory to talk in terms of shared experiences when even within the sex trade there are so many experiences. I think some youth have had negative experiences with adults who have gotten their knowledge from a book (if they even have knowledge) and that feels frustrating. Thanks Gemini Girl - you totally brought up a great point that I almost decided to go into more - that shared experience is complicated too. Some youth want to talk with someone from an outside, as you said fresh perspective.

Plus it can be a bit illusory to talk in terms of shared experiences when even within the sex trade there are so many experiences. I think some youth have had negative experiences with adults who have gotten their knowledge from a book (if they even have knowledge) and that feels frustrating.

]]> By: Alexa http://www.rethinkresources.net/2008/07/23/easier-to-talk-with-a-youth-or-an-adult/#comment-457 Alexa Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:55:11 +0000 http://www.rethinkresources.net/?p=298#comment-457 <i>Often a teen can connect with another teen through shared language, experiences and styles that are super difficult, if not impossible, for an adult to do. Educating peers to be leaders in their own communities means supporting changes in the moment, not just at that specific group time or one to one meeting with an adult. If you prepare youth to have the information and resources necessary to support safer and healthier decisions, I believe you can reach way more youth.</i> I absolutely agree with you on this. The same is true for just about anything you need to really reach out to adolescents for, including I might add, standard sex education. Often a teen can connect with another teen through shared language, experiences and styles that are super difficult, if not impossible, for an adult to do. Educating peers to be leaders in their own communities means supporting changes in the moment, not just at that specific group time or one to one meeting with an adult. If you prepare youth to have the information and resources necessary to support safer and healthier decisions, I believe you can reach way more youth.

I absolutely agree with you on this. The same is true for just about anything you need to really reach out to adolescents for, including I might add, standard sex education.

]]> By: Gemini Girl http://www.rethinkresources.net/2008/07/23/easier-to-talk-with-a-youth-or-an-adult/#comment-456 Gemini Girl Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:10:42 +0000 http://www.rethinkresources.net/?p=298#comment-456 Claudine, I've often reflected on this subject myself. As an individual I enjoy talking to adolescents/young adults as they often are less guarded in what they may choose to share than an adult may be. I have also found the average young adult is more likely to be open about their feelings good or bad when in the conversation. I believe it is empowering for youth to have peers trained as a resource in areas where they may be seeking support or information. I too have found many of the youth with whom I work identify what is most important to them is talking to someone who is "nonjudgmental, supportive, with helpful resources". In my experience we can not always have shared life experiences, and sometimes this may even offer a fresh perspective. Empathy and respect for the others' experience can allow us to discuss dilemmas and possible solutions or alternatives in a nonjudgmental way. Claudine,

I’ve often reflected on this subject myself. As an individual I enjoy talking to adolescents/young adults as they often are less guarded in what they may choose to share than an adult may be. I have also found the average young adult is more likely to be open about their feelings good or bad when in the conversation.

I believe it is empowering for youth to have peers trained as a resource in areas where they may be seeking support or information. I too have found many of the youth with whom I work identify what is most important to them is talking to someone who is “nonjudgmental, supportive, with helpful resources”.

In my experience we can not always have shared life experiences, and sometimes this may even offer a fresh perspective. Empathy and respect for the others’ experience can allow us to discuss dilemmas and possible solutions or alternatives in a nonjudgmental way.

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