Chapter 11: Civic Youth Work

SUMMARY

We propose civic youth work as a new craft orientation in the family of child and youth care, education, social work, recreation and other relevant semi-to-full professions. We envision this practice as based in the philosophies and practical sciences of pedagogy, politics, and human development. The ideal-type civic youth worker will have a skilled praxis in understanding young people and working with them in democratic, inclusive, just and nonviolent ways in small groups on issues meaningful to them. The goals of such work are individual human development, strengthening of democratic institutions and practices, mastery of relevant knowledge and skills by young people, and positive, public change in this meaningful issue. The philosophical and praxis basis of this practitioner role are enumerated and examples given.

KEYWORDS:

• Youth work
• civic youth work
• civic education
• experiential education
• democratic political theory
• care
• youth civic engagement