The autonomy-authority duality of shared decision-making in youth environmental action

Abstract

While environmental action is recognized as an effective approach for developing young people’s capabilities as citizens and contributing to environmental improvements, little research has addressed how adults facilitate youth action projects. Environmental action involves a partnership among youth and adults characterized by shared decision-making. We sought insights into the adult experience of shared decision-making through phenomenological interviews with 33 educators facilitating youth environmental action in various non-formal and formal settings in the USA. Educators described experiencing tensions in sharing decision-making power, which we conceive of as a duality – two inseparable elements both contradictory and complementary that drive the dynamics of a system. The duality consists of youth autonomy and adult authority, which stems not only from formally vested decision-making power but also adults’ experience and wisdom. Educators navigated this duality through diverse approaches to structuring youth participation, supporting youth, valuing mutual learning, and communicating transparently to develop equitable relationships.

Keywords:

• environmental action
• youth participation
• shared decision-making
• educator practice
• autonomy–authority duality

Acknowledgments

We are greatly indebted to the educators who shared their practical experiences and insightful reflections on facilitating youth environmental action. We also thank Gretchen Ferenz, Steve Hamilton, Mike Simsik, and Jamila Simon for valuable contributions to this study. This research was conducted during the primary author’s doctoral studies at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.

Funding

This work was supported by Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station federal formula funds [grant number NYC-147459], received from the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes

1. While emphasis on youth participation elsewhere in the world draws upon the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the USA has not ratified the CRC.

2. In two organizations, the lead author interviewed multiple staff facilitating different action projects or different components of the same project with youth.

3. According to the Oxford dictionary (oxforddictionaries.com/us), ‘kid’ in U.S. English refers to a child or young person; synonyms include child, adolescent, teenager, and youth. While some might interpret ‘kids’ as a belittling term, the lead author never had the impression during an interview that the educator was using the term in such a way.