2. 2b Youth Identity
In this session…
• We might touch on issues where we as individuals or our
Churches disagree
• We might touch on identity issues which either we’ve
struggled with, or someone close to us has struggled with.
Therefore…
• Please feel that you can share something controversial, but
please think carefully how you word it before you say it
• If unsure about your wording, please make a note to
yourself as a potential assignment topic where you can think
through it in more detail, and only Mike and I will read it.
• Finally, if you feel uncomfortable at any point, please do feel
free to find some space elsewhere in the building or outside
3. Identity v Role Confusion
•Identity - how a person sees themselves in
relation to their world. Sense of self or
individuality in the context of life and what lies
ahead
•Role Confusion is the negative perspective -
an absence of identity - meaning that the
person cannot see clearly or at all who they
are and how they can relate positively with
their environment.
•Young people struggle to belong and to be
accepted and affirmed, and yet also to become
individuals. In itself this is a big dilemma, aside
from all the other distractions and confusions
experienced at this life stage.
Where did we get
our identify when
we were teenagers?
2b Youth Identity
4. Adolescence years…
From Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help
Young People Discover and Love Your Church by Kara
Powell. Chapter 3 in Portal. Published in 2016
What impact do we see this
having on the young people we
work with? Does it help or
hinder them forming their own
identity?
2b Youth Identity
5. Identity represents a sense of self that includes
a conscious sense of one’s individual
uniqueness and a sense of solidarity with a
group’s ideals. It embodies an understanding of
how one is like all other people, like some other
people and not like any other person...’ – Kerry
Young, Art of Youth Work, p34
-We all....(in school) have to do homework,
have to go to school, do PE etc...
-Like some people...hobbies, style of clothing,
music, type of social media you’re into...
-Not like any other person...what 1 things
makes you you? What are you known for? Do
you want to be known for anything?
2b Youth Identity
6. Kerry Young – The Art of Youth Work
‘’Adolescence’ represents the first phase of life during which the
individual develops a clear personal and social identity that
persists throughout life. This makes the issue of identity central to
youth work as an age specific activity.’ p35
‘Within youth work, the development or preservation of identity
is, therefore, not about judging young people but rather
providing information and supporting them to understand what
(for instance) being [‘Christian’] means to them.’ p36
2b Youth Identity
7. Where can Young
People find their
identity today?
What are the 'identity
issues' that our young
people are facing
today?
2b Youth Identity
Discussion
9. Sexuality
2b Youth Identity
Do we create space
within our Churches,
denominations and
youth groups for safe
conversations to take
place where we can
explore different
theological view
points?
10. Work
2b Youth Identity
Is the changing High
Street, and the closures
of major retailers (e.g.
BHS, Toys ‘R’ Us etc),
today’s version of Pit
Closures and the
declining Steel
Industry?
11. Brexit
Brexit – what impact will
that have on young
people's identity?
Is there a cultural divide
between remainers and
leavers? Between North
and South? Rise of
Nationalism?
2b Youth Identity
12. Questions you may like to discuss…
How would respond if a young person is
forming an identity you don't agree with
theologically?
If it was your son or daughter within the
Case Study, what support would you
want them to have within the local
community?
Is your love for the young person bigger
than your love for your theology?
2b Youth Identity
Case Studies
13. 1. What struggles have you seen your young
people have whilst forming their own
identity?
2. Are there any specific issues which you
think help or hinder young people form
their own identity? E.g. Religious, sexuality,
online affiliations, parental expectations
3. Do we prepare young people for life
outside of the potential Church or
Christian bubble?
4. How can we help the young people in our
care form a positive healthy Christian
identity today in 2018?
Identity issues: Group Discussions
2b Youth Identity
14. Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin
Bible Gender Sexuality by James Brownson
Approaching Gender Dysphoria by Mark
Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky
Further resources and links...
2b Youth Identity
Editor's Notes
Over the course of the next 45-60 minutes, we might touch on issues where we as individuals disagree with each other; or our Churches have a different theological stance to ours and other people’s Churches; or we might touch on identity issues which either we’ve struggled with, or someone close to us has struggled with.
We’re very good as humans, as Christians and as the Church to brush difficult conversations under the carpet, and we want this to be a safe place where we can potentially discuss some of those difficult issues; yet we also want to do so in a loving, respectful way. If we’re aware we might be saying something contreversiol, we want you to feel comfortable to be able to say it, but please think through carefully about how you might say it. And if you can’t find a suitable way to say it, it might be wise to keep that thought for your assignment, where you can give it some more thought, and where only Mike or I will read it.
Finally, if anyone at any point feels uncomfortable and feels that you could do with some space, please do feel free to take yourself out of the room for as long as you need.
A person’s identity will be unique to themselves because each person lives in a different context.
Argument that the Adolescence years are finishing later. People getting married later (me – 30 compared to my parents at 24); having children later (me – 33; parents 27); moving into their own homes later; people staying in education longer; starting first job later
A key part of what we do as youth workers, therefore, argues Young, is helping our young people find out, develop and form their own identity, whatever that might be for them. Do we prepare our young people for life in the ‘real world’ outside of the Church / Christian bubble? Photocopy chapter 2 of ‘Faith Forward’ for people to take home. Danger often is that our young people become fantastic Christians when they’re with us – read the Bible – pray – etc etc – but as soon as they go and see the real world, go to University, go and see poverty close up, and their faith can take a beating. Read bottom of p41-top of p43 if time of Faith Forward book.
Newspapers / magazines dotted around to spark ideas
Do we create space within our Churches, denominations and youth groups for safe conversations to take place where we can explore different theological view points?
Do we create space within our Churches, denominations and youth groups for safe conversations to take place where we can explore different theological view points?
Work identity Changing work patterns, especially in communities where a large employee suddenly disappears. e.g. Parson Cross: Identity was rooted in the steel industry – the work, sense of community, purpose etc. Now all gone / been lost. Similar happening today in places where large employees almost overnight disappear – car companies, Toys R Us, BHS, House of Frazer...
A key part of what we do as youth workers, therefore, argues Young, is helping our young people find out, develop and form their own identity, whatever that might be for them. Do we prepare our young people for life in the ‘real world’ outside of the Church / Christian bubble? Photocopy chapter 2 of ‘Faith Forward’ for people to take home. Danger often is that our young people become fantastic Christians when they’re with us – read the Bible – pray – etc etc – but as soon as they go and see the real world, go to University, go and see poverty close up, and their faith can take a beating. Read bottom of p41-top of p43 if time of Faith Forward book.
A key part of what we do as youth workers, therefore, argues Young, is helping our young people find out, develop and form their own identity, whatever that might be for them. Do we prepare our young people for life in the ‘real world’ outside of the Church / Christian bubble? Photocopy chapter 2 of ‘Faith Forward’ for people to take home. Danger often is that our young people become fantastic Christians when they’re with us – read the Bible – pray – etc etc – but as soon as they go and see the real world, go to University, go and see poverty close up, and their faith can take a beating. Read bottom of p41-top of p43 if time of Faith Forward book.
