Diversity and Inclusion in Youth Development: What We Can Learn from Marginalized Young People

Stephen T Russell,Kali Van Campen

doi:10.5195/jyd.2011.177

Abstract

As we commemorate 100 years of youth development programs whose origins are traced to organizations founded in the United States, we consider key insights as well as strategies relevant for diversity and inclusion. Many of the large, mainstream youth development organizations and programs that were founded over a century ago now primarily serve youth in the “mainstream”: youth from the middle classes, traditional families, and dominant cultural groups. A growing body of scholarship considers the positive development of youth who are marginalized due to their social class, ability, sexuality, citizenship status, race, ethnicity, or culture. We draw insights from studies of youth and families who are immigrants, or who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). These findings provide a vantage point for considering ways that contemporary youth development organizations might stretch the margins, or adapt their practices, in order to reach and include all youth.

Highlights

As we commemorate 100 years of youth development programs and practices whose origins are traced largely to organizations founded in the United States, we observe several contradictions or tensions in the field
We highlight several areas of knowledge that have grown out of studies of youth and families who are immigrants, or who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). These findings provide a vantage point for considering ways that contemporary youth development organizations might stretch the margins, or adapt their practices, in order to reach and include all youth
Efforts have always been made to reach marginalized youth, yet during the course of a century, a mainstream has emerged in the United States, one that reflects dominant cultures

Summary

Introduction

As we commemorate 100 years of youth development programs and practices whose origins are traced largely to organizations founded in the United States, we observe several contradictions or tensions in the field. The organizations did not actively exclude ethnic minority youth, but rather the programs were designed to emulate the dominant mainstream cultural values of U.S society which were, and in many ways still are, largely guided by values endorsed by White, European-descent heterosexuals.

Results

Conclusion