An Introduction to Teens and Adults Teaming Up for Success
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If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try, Again
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Listen to This
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Have you ever been to a party or family dinner where you had to sit at the “kid’s table”? If you got to share the meal with friends, siblings or cousins your own age, you probably didn’t mind. You may have been content to discuss your own hobbies and interests with your peers, while the adults were happy to be able to visit with one another. But how would you feel if the “grownups” at the table were discussing current events that affect young people in the world today — such as violence in schools, underage drinking and drug abuse, or environmental pollution? And what if they were debating loudly as if you weren’t present or as if the solution rested on their shoulders? Now imagine if the people at the table were actually the board of directors of a youth organization or elected officials making decisions that will affect your life.

It would seem like an obvious strategy for adults to seek the input of youth when making decisions about issues that affect them. But historically, many organizations have excluded the voices of youth even as they worked to fulfill a mission of helping young people. Fortunately, more adult leaders are realizing the benefits of inviting youth “to the table.” Not only is it fair — it also makes the organization more successful in achieving its goals. As Dorothy Stoneman, president of YouthBuild USA, put it: “Sharing power with young people in decision-making, policy, and programming is not something you just do on principle — you really get a better product.”

Many adults report that they make better decisions about youth issues with informed, enthusiastic teens as their partners. In the end, teens feel control over the process and ownership of the outcome. By working together on mutual issues, youth and adults can complement one another’s strengths and build valuable relationships that can extend to other projects and settings.

By examining the successes and advantages of youth-adult partnerships and learning how to participate in the process, you also will develop more productive relationships with the young people you work with in TRY-IT!

Modules included in this topic are: