Youth Issues Research Articles

Young people's right to flourish: A 21st century social justice issue for youth and community work

AbstractThis article argues for youth and community work (YCW) to be recognised for its critical role in working alongside young people to enhance their well‐being. We supply amalgamated vignettes as evidence from student's placement practice and explore the value of informal education practices in YCW in more formal settings. We assert that it is important to offer recognition of the distinctive methodologies YCW practitioners employ to enable meaningful engagement with young people. We argue young people's well‐being is a 21st century social justice issue of primary concern to YCWs. Cuts to youth services have led to a crisis in the YCW workforce, which urgently needs to be addressed. Therefore, as a reminder of the ongoing need for young people to be at the heart of integrated and holistic policies, the anonymised vignettes supply reflections on student professional practice placement that take account of their experiences of working collaboratively with schools. Policy makers should seek ways of drawing on YCW student's perspectives and in working to develop parity of esteem with other social professions, create environments in which young people can flourish. This article therefore joins the recent calls from the YCW sector for the need to fund and re‐grow YCW.

Sports Development Management in the Republic of Armenia: The Structure and Statistics

Sports is one of the many branches of the national economic complex and represents a complex and unique socio-economic system, the activity of which is characterized by multifaceted social and state relations. It should be considered that the management structure of any socio-economic sector of the state is largely determined first by the state policy, the very structure of the state. It should be organically integrated into the sports movement management system. The state body responsible for the development of sports in Republic of Armenia (RA) is the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MESCS), which is entrusted with the functions of implementing state policy and legal regulation, as well as providing support to sports organizations and sports federations. The main goal of its activity is the formation of a positive attitude of society, the state and the entire nation towards sports as an effective means of maintaining and strengthening human health, an integral part of universal culture, and as a factor, especially in the physical and moral education of children and young people. The Ministry carries out the functions of state policy and legal regulation in physical culture, sports and youth issues and the processes of developing and implementing them. Along with that, public sports organizations in the form of NAOC of Armenia and national sports federations and units play an important role in the development of sports in the republic. Funding for mass sports and high-performance sports is increasing year by year in Armenia, which is aimed at increasing the number of events, as well as increasing the number of incentives for the achievements of people who do sports and high-level athletes.

Prevalence and factors influencing substance abuse among secondary school students in Mbeya City, Tanzania

Background: Substance abuse among students has far-reaching social, religious, economic, health and demographic consequences, such as unplanned pregnancies, school dropouts, abortions, maternal and newborn mortality, infection risks and other psychological problems. Our study investigated the prevalence of substance abuse among secondary school students in Mbeya City, Tanzania. Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021 among secondary students from Mbeya City, Tanzania. Students completed a self-administered substance use questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 343 students were requested to participate in the study. However, 300 agreed to indicate 87% response rate. 9.7% (n=59) reported substance use, primarily cannabis, 75% (n=225) and alcohol, 68% (n=204). Friends influenced substance use among 82.7% of users. Reported immediate effects included misbehaviour, 73.7% (n=221) and unprotected sex, 72.3% (n=217). Long-term harms were predominantly brain damage (86.7%). Community education (78%) and media campaigns (76.7%) were suggested to curb use. Conclusion: Substance abuse among a sizable minority of Mbeya City secondary school students is driven by peer influence and has detrimental impacts reported by students themselves. Comprehensive education and preventive strategies engaging families, schools and communities are recommended to address this critical youth issue. Keywords: Substance abuse; cannabis; alcohol; secondary school students; Tanzania.

Sexuality and Gender Issues in Autistic Youth: A Series of 6 Cases and a Literature Review

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors, impacting daily functioning. Individuals with ASD face unique difficulties regarding sexuality, often experiencing mismatches between sexual development and social maturity, leading to potential inappropriate behaviors. Social competence deficits may limit their understanding of sexuality, increasing risks of offending or victimization. Gender differences in sexual behavior are evident, with males showing earlier and more frequent sexual activity, while females demonstrate greater flexibility in sexual orientation. This paper presents six clinical cases highlighting the diverse experiences of sexuality and gender identity in autistic individuals, offering insights into the complex interactions between ASD, gender, and sexual behavior.

Unwilling the Smartphone Addiction, Fear of Missing Out and Mental Health Issues in Youth

The focus of present is to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction, fear of missing out and mental health issues in youth. Understanding how specific worries of missing out and mental health issues contribute to the development and exacerbation of smartphone addiction can provide valuable insights for prevention strategies. For this purpose, the sample for the current study was calculated by the G power formula (F, t, χ2, z, and exact tests) and 200 participants were selected through convenient sampling. A correlational research design was used. A short smartphone addiction scale (Kwon et al., 2013), fear of missing out (Przybylski et al., 2013) and mental health questionnaire scale (Houston) were used to measure the study variables. Results of the correlation analysis revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between smartphone addiction, fear of missing out and mental health issues in youth. Further results demonstrate that smartphone addiction significantly predicts mental health issues in youth. However, results showed that there are no gender differences in smartphone addiction, Fear of missing out and mental health issues among young adults. The current study findings are beneficial for youth to understand how smartphone addiction is linked to fear of missing out and mental health issues and what steps should be taken to reduce these issues in youth. To conclude, the present research study highlights the need for awareness and intervention strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of Smartphone addiction and FOMO on mental health, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and balanced technology use among youth.

Towards a Genealogy of Young People in Conflict with the Law in the Chilean Social Sciences, 1980–2010

This article explores Chilean social science discourses on youth in conflict with the law between 1980 and 2010. Through a scoping review of academic and scientific writings and articles in the social sciences about young people in conflict with the law, the manuscript describes three figures or semantic configurations referring to young people in conflict with the law: (i) anomic youth, (ii) psychosocially harmed youth and (iii) young people at criminal risk. The analysis of these three configurations highlights a shift from a pathological and deficit-based consideration of youth in conflict with the law towards a perspective that seeks to anticipate juvenile crime as a possible future. This forward-looking orientation corresponds to the scarcity of sociological output on youth issues and, in turn, to the rise of psycho-neuro disciplines and technologies as expert discourses on the subject.

Coverage of youth issues in Georgian local media

Coverage of youth issues in Georgian local media

Volunteering for a Job: Creativity and Tanzanian Youth

This paper explores motivations behind voluntary activities of youth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during an increasingly common period of ‘waithood,’ characterized by prolonged status as youth and delay in adulthood due to challenges with unemployment. Drawing on ethnographic anthropological fieldwork conducted in 2019, this paper uses stories of two youths from two youth-led organizations located in Dar es Salaam to explore differing motivations for engaging in volunteering. These examples illustrate how volunteering either acts as a stepping-stone to future employment or as a replacement for formal employment, dependent on class identity. It is argued that for Tanzanian youths, volunteering is a creative response to the challenges of waithood. This paper suggests that policymakers and civil society organizations addressing youth issues in Tanzania should recognize the diverse motivations and creative and strategic dimensions of volunteering to better support young people in navigating waithood and their futures.

Выработка федеральных мер по защите прав и интересов детей в США в начале XX века

The article analyzes the historical process of formation and development of children’s rights associated with the development of federal measures to protect the rights and interests of minors in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. The author connects the acquisition and expansion of children’s rights with the strengthening of state guarantees and obligations. The most important federal measures to protect the rights of children in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century were conferences held once a decade under the auspices of the President of the United States on children and youth issues, typical for each period, as well as the creation in 1912 of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, exercising powers in various fields (health, custody, justice, etc.).

Transformation of Value Orientations of Russian Youth: on the Issue of Stability of Russia Against the Background of Confrontation with the Countries of the World of the West

Relevance. The ongoing confrontation between Russia and Western countries makes the study of the role of youth and youth public organizations in the stability of the socio-political and social development of our country more and more relevant. Taking into account the ongoing events, it is necessary to consider the process of transforming the value orientations of modern Russian youth and its impact on the stability of our country and the activities of youth public organizations.The purpose – to carry out a comparative analysis of the value orientations of Soviet/Russian youth and the trends of their development since the end of the XX century to the present and their impact on the stability of Russia against the background of confrontation with the countries of the Western world.Objectives: analyze the historical orientation of the value orientations of young people in the late USSR; carry out an analysis of the value orientations of the youth of the new Russia (1991-2000); consider the consequences of the transformation of value orientations of young people for the stability of Russia (2000-2023).Methodology. We used data from Rosstat on demography, secondary analysis of data on the results of research by the WCIOM Sociological Service (1992-2023), the Center for Labor Research of the Higher School of Economics (HSE) on youth issues, analysis of scientific materials published in scientific journals, historical documents of the period under study, methods of comparison and analogy.Results. Since the 80s of the XX century, the value orientations of domestic youth have been transformed towards the Western cult of consumption, which was the basis for various negative manifestations, participation in the destructive protest activities of individual youth public organizations. The situation began to change in the early 2000s, when more and more young people began to think about the need to restore traditional moral norms and values. The coronavirus pandemic and a special military operation in Ukraine had a particularly serious impact on the transformation of the value orientations of modern youth.Conclusions. The transformation of the value orientations of modern Russian youth towards a return to traditional values is a positive factor for the stability of the development of our country.

Accessibility of intimate partner violence-related services for young women in Spain. Qualitative study on professionals' perspectives.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common among young people, but the use of IPV resources among young adult women and teenagers is limited. This study aims to analyze professionals' perceptions about the main barriers and facilitators encountered by young women (16-29 years old) exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) when accessing formal services in Spain. Qualitative study based on 17 in depth interviews carried out in 2019 with professionals who manage resources for IPV care in Madrid (Spain) from different sectors (social services, health care, security forces, women or youth issues offices, associations). A qualitative content analysis was conducted. The professionals interviewed perceive the following barriers: 1) Time it takes for young women to recognize IPV because the social construction of sexual-affective relationships is permeated by gender inequality; 2) The process of leaving a situation of abuse; 3) Barriers inherent to IPV services. The key aspects to improve access to these resources are related to care services, professional practice, and the young women themselves. There are both psychosocial barriers, derived from the process of leaving a situation of violence, as well as structural barriers for young women to access and properly use the recognized services specifically aimed at them or comprehensive IPV care. Services need to be tailored to the needs of young women so they can be truly effective in order to escape IPV.

Piety and commercialization da’wah: the influence of Hanan Attaki's Kajian on young urban muslims in Indonesia

Urban youth's growing piety and social media's expansion are intertwined, as shown by the resurgence of influential relocated people. Modern youngsters are disinterested in religious theology and prefer digital preachers who can answer their inquiries quickly. This has changed youth religion, which the media business has exacerbated. Thus, some renowned da'i, notably in Indonesia, use the internet to spread da'wah. Hanan Attaki, a famous preacher, often addresses youth issues on social media. Mental health, loneliness, future fear, and sin remorse are common concerns. This study aims to analyze piety and commercialization of da’wah which is Hanan Attaki’s case in kajian towards young urban Muslims in Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative case study method and literature review as an additional reference. Data collection using interview and documentation techniques such as journal articles, books, and information from the internet as secondary resources. The result of this study the success in commercializing Ustadz Hanan Attaki's influence preaching can be categorized as first, branding suitable for young people's da'i, second, specialization, such as his being an expertise in da’wa from his education journey, and third, building social contacts, which is a process where media and technology can penetrate geography such as social media or internet.

Youth, Pornography, and Addiction: A Critical Review

Abstract Purpose of Review In this article, we dig more deeply into the assumptions underpinning common-sense understandings about youth “exposure” to pornography and the ostensible “effects” of this exposure, specifically “pornography addiction”. We trace the emergence of the notion of “pornography addiction”, highlighting how cultural conditions have allowed for its realisation as a socially recognisable and intelligible narrative. Recent Findings Media effects research on the issue of youth “exposure” to pornography is not conclusive, nor is pornography addiction officially recognised as a diagnosable disorder. Moreover, an emerging body of multidisciplinary qualitative research, which, importantly, includes the perspectives and experiences of young people themselves, raises questions about some of the assumptions and conclusions of effects-focused research. Summary Despite inconclusive and contrasting findings, the social narrative of pornography addiction persists both within and beyond academe. We make sense of this persistence in relation to the broader problematisation of youth sexuality, which includes unease and moral objection to young people viewing pornography. It is important to recognise the broader socio-cultural systems supporting the cultural narrative of pornography addiction, and the social functions that this narrative serves, that is, the need for adult intervention into the sexual lives of youth.

The Impact of Social Media Use on Sleep and Mental Health in Youth: a Scoping Review

Purpose of ReviewSocial media use (SMU) and other internet-based technologies are ubiquitous in today’s interconnected society, with young people being among the commonest users. Previous literature tends to support that SMU is associated with poor sleep and mental health issues in youth, despite some conflicting findings. In this scoping review, we summarized relevant studies published within the past 3 years, highlighted the impacts of SMU on sleep and mental health in youth, while also examined the possible underlying mechanisms involved. Future direction and intervention on rational use of SMU was discussed.Recent FindingsBoth cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies demonstrated the negative impacts of SMU on sleep and mental health, with preliminary evidence indicating potential benefits especially during the COVID period at which social restriction was common. However, the limited longitudinal research has hindered the establishment of directionality and causality in the association among SMU, sleep, and mental health.SummaryRecent studies have made advances with a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of SMU on sleep and mental health in youth, which is of public health importance and will contribute to improving sleep and mental health outcomes while promoting rational and beneficial SMU. Future research should include the implementation of cohort studies with representative samples to investigate the directionality and causality of the complex relationships among SMU, sleep, and mental health; the use of validated questionnaires and objective measurements; and the design of randomized controlled interventional trials to reduce overall and problematic SMU that will ultimately enhance sleep and mental health outcomes in youth.

The Issue of Science and Youth in the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Today, the policy of the new Uzbekistan, which is experiencing deep economic and political growth, is of great importance that the rights of citizens, human dignity, especially young people are focused on science; moreover, the development of science remains a priority for our country, which has long been considered a center of science. In this article, the role of science and youth issues in our constitution, the opportunities created for these fields in Uzbekistan are covered based on the analysis.

Socialization of rural youth issues in the development of agricultural industry and society

Socialization of rural youth issues in the development of agricultural industry and society

THE COMMODIFICATION OF POPULAR MUSIC IN DIGITAL ERA (Case Study of Music Label’s Sun Eater)

The development of digital technology has changed the business structure of the music industry. The presence of social media and music streaming services adds to the size of the music industry itself, starting from the intersection of various actors (music labels, artists/musicians, music streaming service applications, music consumers), interests (business and state regulations), to power (distribution networks), especially in the perspective of the political economy of communication. In the context of this research, the object of research is the independent music label Sun Eater. This study uses a qualitative research method with an intrinsic case study approach. In line with that the data collection used is observation, in-depth interviews and documentation studies. The results of this study indicate that the content commodification carried out by Sun Eater as a music label is not focused on the music itself. But it wraps up the issues of today's youth and makes them like lyrics, pictures and videos. In audience commodification, Sun Eater does not put the audience as mere music fans. However, with a consumer-centric and data driven approach, Sun Eater treats their audience (music fans) like mass media, by “selling” back on advertisers on various digital platforms. Finally, the Commodification of Workers, that musicians are not just music workers. Moreover, Sun Eater places musicians as workers who have other responsibilities, ranging from filming digital content, interacting with fans on social media, to photo shoots with advertisers.

“Lost connection”: Pandemic related disruptions to schooling and social services among Latinx immigrant youth and families

COVID-19 and subsequent public health measures resulted in significant disruptions to schools and social service delivery to Latinx immigrant youth in the U.S. As social service providers pivoted work to virtual platforms, continuing to provide social-emotional support/therapy and case management; relatively little is known about the pandemic-related issues providers navigated working with Latinx immigrants. This qualitative study (N = 33) elucidates providers’ reflections on presenting issues of Latinx immigrant youth and families and their experiences working to meet clients’ social service needs in the initial months after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Participants indicated Latinx immigrant clients’ needs changed to a “great extent,” reporting that youth experienced limited access to internet and took on additional household responsibilities (i.e., caring for siblings, having to work) impacting their psychological wellbeing. Yet 42 % of participants indicated their organizations “never” or only “some of the time” had enough providers to meet rising client needs. Findings provide critical insights from social service providers on the frontlines of service delivery with Latinx immigrant youth and families during the initial phases of the pandemic. Implications highlight the critical role of the school-home-community connection to prevent health, mental health, and educational disparities.

Boys, girls, and everyone else: Ontario public school board responses to gender diversity.

Trans and nonbinary youth issue a challenge to K-12 schools, which regularly assume gender is binary and immutable. Although scholars have explored how educational institutions are responding to trans and nonbinary students, fewer have examined the assumptions implicit within these responses. By analyzing policy solutions as diagnostics of institutions' implicit representations of social problems, I examine how educational institutions construct the terms of membership for trans and nonbinary students. This article examines all publicly-available Ontario public school board documents (N=359) including the terms "gender identity" and/or "gender expression." The findings show patterns in school board approaches. Roughly 80% of responses focus on a case-by-case, individual-level response. The remaining 20% adopt a systemic approach to trans and nonbinary inclusion. Few responses challenge binary-sorting practices. This article addresses the broader social issue of how public organizations deal with difference and the limits of individual accommodation responses to systemic inequity.

Health Issues Among Nepalese Youth: A Literature Review.

Nepal is one of the world's least-developed countries. Nepalese children are often vulnerable to a lack of resources which leads to suboptimal levels of health in turn. This review article aims to identify health issues and inequities faced by school-aged children greater than five years old in Nepal. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in PubMed and Global Health databases to gather relevant studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select appropriate articles, and 35 full-length articles were reviewed in-depth. The literature supports the association between inadequate resource distribution among Nepalese children and poorer health outcomes compared to youth in developed countries. The key health issues of Nepalese youth identified in the literature consist of diarrheal illness, stunted growth, dental caries, visual impairment, poor mental health, and low health literacy. This review article aims to identify key health issues affecting Nepalese youth as well as propose interventions that can lead to an enhanced quality of life in this population.