GROUPS IN CONTEXT

YOUTH

- UNESCO refers to youth as people aged between 15-24

- The Australian medical association (AMA) defines youth as those aged 10-24
- It appears the specific age for youth is quite fluid, but encompass the years of
adolescent growth
- Youth is a time when many people are studying or training and planning for the future.
Although young people are often referred to as fun-loving and egocentric people with
time to spare, they may also be bored, stressed about school and relationships, or
confused about sexuality.

PREVALENCE:

(2010 data)
- Today, youth account for almost 20% of Australia’s total population, with males
comprising 51.3% and females 48.7% of the total group. This equates to over 4.2 million
persons.
- With trends in fertility and lowered birth rates, it is anticipated that youth will account for
less than 18% of the population in 2020.
- 66% of 12-19 year olds live at home with two parents, 20% live at home with one parent
- Indigenous people constitute 3.6% of all 15-19 year olds and 2.8% of all young people
between the ages of 20-24
- Of every 5 young australians, one was born overseas, and mostly in Asia (6.6%) or
Europe (2.6%)
- Of every 5 young Australians, one speaks a language other than English at home and
mostly an asian language (10%) or a European language other than English (4%)
- Of every 100 young Australians, one is homeless

INDIVIDUAL DIVERSITY WITHIN THE GROUP

- Many individuals within this group are attending school or university, undertaking other
training, or beginning a career through an entry-level job
- Youth have high workforce participation rates, with part-time being the predominant work
pattern
- 92% of female youth and 64% of male youth are enrolled in tertiary education
- 11% of females and 12% of males are unemployed; 67% of females and 70% of males
are actively engaged in the labour force
- Some youth have had their own children and are involved in family life. In 2013 the
adolescent fertility rate (or births per 1000 women aged 15-19) was cited as 12 per 1000
women.
- In 2011, 87% of partnered women aged 15-19 and 91% of partnered men aged 15-19
were in a cohabiting relationships. This appears to be an increasing trend.
- Depending on the young person’s family, friends, location, religion, and many other
factors, he/she will be interested in a wide variety of things ranging from sports, music,
books, genres of music and attitude.
- Everyone develops at a different rate, so it is important that the maturity of the person
who is going through adolescence be considered, because some people will be more
resilient compared with their peers. Diversity also results from adoption of various
parenting
styles.
TERMINOLOGY USED TO DESCRIBE YOUTH

- In research, ‘adolescence’ is the most common term used to describe this group
- Other terms used include; teen, teenager, young person, kid, child, and adolescent
- Youth use extensive vocabulary to define other youth.
- Examples include; grommets, geeks, nerds, indies, emos, and lads
- There are often regional variations and terms used in one area may not be applicable to,
or even known by those outside the area.

Positive Negative

Own labels - Smart (intelligent) - Nerd (no social skills)

- Private school girls - Lad (dangerous &
- Educated stupid)
- Independent - Snob

Community - Free spirited / care free - Druggo

gives to the - Open minded - Vegan
youth - courageous - Beach bum (lazy)
- Reckless - Unemployed
- Selfish - Pot head

Question:
Discuss the impact this label may have on a individual’s contribution to society

Question:
For youth, describe the impact positive and negative terminology might have on the individual
within the group:
ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR THE YOUTH: (SHESEAS)

S - Sense of identity
H - Health
E - Education
S - Security and Safety
E - Employment
A/S - Adequate standard of living

Sense of identity:
- A young person’s sense of identity is affected by a variety of factors, such as their
involvement in school activities, their academic and sporting ability and whether they
have a job.
- Those with particular expertise in an area such as dance, sport, technology, music, or
drama may find it easier to develop a positive sense of identity. Having a supportive
family may also help to meet this need.
- When a young person leaves school, they may need to reshape their identity because
many of the structures that previously restricted them, such as school rules and the
need for their parent’s permission, are no longer in operation.
- It can be confusing for a young person who feels they are on the verge of making an
entry into adulthood, but is often treated like a child. The formation of a relationships with
another young person can also result in a changing sense of identity.
- Identity v.s role confusion

Health:
- This age group generally has good health in comparison to other groups. However, any
failure to address aspects of one’s health will most certainly impact wellbeing.
- Young people are renowned risk takers. Some may become injured in sport or motor
vehicle accidents and others may risk their health through the use of drugs and alcohol
or unsafe sex practices.
- Serious health problems for this age group can include eating disorders and mental
health issues (which can be exacerbated by drug and alcohol abuse)
- Young people need need to learn about their medical rights and how to access
supportive GP’s, family planning clinics and other parts of the health system. They can
apply for a Medicare card at the age of 15.
- The Federal Government introduced a means-tested Child Dental Benefits Scheme in
2014
- Other programs include the free school vaccination programs
- Many young adults travel overseas and may require advice on immunisation and
travelling hazards, such as how to recognise and avoid unsanitary food and water.
- With many Australian youths travelling overseas on gap years, it is imperative that youth
are aware of safety with respect to drugs and alcohol use.

Education:
 - This age group is involved in education at school, TAFE, University or at a private
college
- According to the NSW Department of Education and Training, from 1st January, 2010,
students have been legally required to attend school until the end of year 10, after which
time they are legally required to participate in education, training or employment until
they are 17.
- Young people who leave formal education to seek employment may be faced with more
education in the form of on the job training and learning skills and techniques important
to job success.
- Education is critically important in preparing young people for employment. Additionally,
experiences in education greatly contribute to a person’s self-esteem and sense of
identity.
- Although some young people may have had problems at school and develop a negative
view of their abilities, many of them return to study after a few years in the workforce.
With added maturity and meaningful life experiences, these ‘second wind’ students often
have successful experiences.
- Education needs to be meaningful and relevant. Courses such as CAFs, deal with real
people and current issues in the community. Subjects such as ICT, develop skills that a
student can use outside the classroom.
- An increasing number of students are completing VET subjects such as Hospitality,
Retail, and Building and Construction. These subjects enhance employment prospects
and decrease the time needed to complete post school studies.
- Two students from an Independent school in Sydney built a very successful internet-
based business, delivering flowers. They revealed the success of their business came
from a business plan in their business studies classes.
- Some students undertake a variety of extra-curricular activities such as music and sport,
while others experience health problems. As a result, pathways has been designed to
allow students to complete the HSC over several years and still allow for recovery, high-
level representative commitments or other interests.

Security & Safety:

- Security and safety needs may be physical, emotional or financial.
- Young people who attend parties and venues at which alcohol and drugs are consumed
may be more likely to experience violence, such as “glassing”, or being attacked without
provocation.
- Drug use and alcohol can contribute to high-risk behaviours such as drink-driving, sexual
assaults and aggression.
- On an emotional level, families and friends can provide valuable support for young
people. However, unrealistic media models may leave young people disappointed if
reality fails to match their expectations regarding relationships and friendships.
- Financial security is a concern for today’s youth. Youth unemployment rates are higher
than other age groups and the jobs that are available are often part-time or casual rather
than full-time. Some students experience problems budgeting, especially with the costs
associated with a mobile phone or car.
Employment:
- Many young people are not yet working because they are still involved in education and
training.
- Those who leave school before the HSC often find it difficult to obtain well-paid full time
employment, and are likely to be involved in entry-level jobs in fields such as retail and
hospitality. Such jobs are often seasonal, part-time or casual and do not significantly
increase economic wellbeing.
- Some young people are involved in volunteer work, such as fundraising, sports coaching
and church-run child care. Such volunteer experiences can help prepare youth for future
employment.
- Throughout people’s tertiary studies, they often work part-time in order to improve their
financial status.
- The industries with the most youth include; retail, accommodation, hospitality (cafes etc)
- Young people who have a job benefit through an income, gaining experience for their
career and being more responsible / independent. Negatives-sacrificing time and energy
to complete tasks other than study.
- For employers it is often less expensive to hire people between the ages of 15-24,
because the hourly rate is not as high compared to older employees. E.g. according to
NSW Shop Employees Award, adult shop assistants who are employed on a casual
basis are entitled to a minimum hour rate of $18.34, whereas a 16 year old is entitled to
$9.17/hour
- Teen jobs Australia - a local youth employment website that young people can access in
order to search for any work in their local area.

Adequate standard of living:

- Adolescents are active and require nutritious foods. Often, time-poor adolescents will
make poor food choices as a result of convenience and marketing strategies.
- Dietary guidelines have been written for children and adolescents develop eating
disorders, which can affect their ability to meet this need.
- Because adolescence is a time for developing a sense of identity and a positive self-
concept, clothing choices are affected by the need to fit in with a group and conform by
wearing certain styles and labels.
- For most school aged young people, housing needs are met by their parents (although
the number of homeless young people is increasing)
- Some students live in boarding schools or residential colleges during the school or
university term and return to the family home in the holidays.
- Older youth sometimes share a dwelling with their boyfriend or girlfriend, or may choose
to cohabitate as a group - often as a means to reduce the cost of living
- As young people get older, they usually leave home and begin to meet their own
housing needs. However, they may find it difficult to enter the rental market because of
the negative attitudes of real estate agents and landlords towards this age group.
- There is also an increasing tendency for young people to continue living in the family
home, even when they are financially dependent.
Justify the two most significant needs for youth:

Youth are people who are between the age of 15 and 24 years old and represent around 20% of
the Australian population. The two most significant needs for the youth population are sense of
identity and education. Sense of identity is affected by a variety of factors, such as individuals
involvement in school activities, their academic and sporting ability and their employment status.
Education greatly impacts the needs of the youth as education is required to provide youth with
the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce and gain a income.

Sense of identity is vital to the characteristics of youth as it shapes the individual's personality
and characteristics. A sense of identity and a sense of self is represented in the top three levels
of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, which therefore makes having a sense of identity highly
significant to fulfill the needs of youth. A youths sense of identity is affected by their involvement
in school activities, their employment status, and academic and sporting abilities. A youths
sense of identity can change when they are provided with the opportunity to leave school and
reshape their identity. Without youths sense of identity, they would find it difficult to belong. This
is due to the fact that individuals identity is evolved over time and is formed from the
connections and experiences which they have. Without a sense of identity is can lead to mental
health disorders such as depression, therefore making it highly significant to youth and shaping
their future.

Education is also highly significant to the needs of youth as it builds a strong foundation in an
individual's life and is central to the development and improvement of a person's lifestyle.
Education is critically important in preparing young people for employment and contributes to a
person's self esteem and sense of identity. Education provides opportunities such as
employment which in turn provides a source of financial support and is highly meaningful and
relevant to the lifestyle of an individual. Education is significant to youth as without it we would
not have the skills or the knowledge to enter the workforce and gain a financially beneficial job
in which we can support ourselves and our families in the future.

Types of services: (FAT LEECH)

1) Financial support
2) Accomodation and housing
3) Transport
4) Legal aid
5) Employment
6) Education
7) Counselling
8) Health care
 - Drivin’ 4 employment: a service for supporting unemployed young people in obtaining
their learner-driver and provisional-driver licenses.
- Lights camera action: a service offered to indigenous young people throughout Australia
with the focus on giving them access to opportunities in film, TV and theatre
- The source: a gateway to youth information, programs, services, resources, and
entertainment for young people.
- Australian youth forum: a communication forum between the australian government,
various organisation and young people
- National youth week: A collection of activities for young people to engage in to share
ideas, attend events, celebrate their talents and contribute to the community
- The Australian government office for youth: A forum for communication and transmission
of information between the government and the young australians.

1 - Financial support
- The NSW Department of fair trading can advise young people about financial and
employment issues. It recognises the internet as a valuable information portal for young
people
- Its website called money stuff offers tips and safety checks related to budgeting, saving,
credit cards, debt, investing and financial decisions - these are all things a youth may
need to consider when moving out of home, getting a new job, studying or buying a car.
- Centrelink services youth by assisting with paperwork and inquiries about a variety of
allowances. AusStudy and Abstudy provide financial help for youth who are studying,
while youth allowance provides financial help for young people who are studying full-time
or part-time, undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship, training, looking for work or are
sick.
- Some institutions provide Scholarships (e.g. the Australian Youth Orchestra) to provide
opportunities to talented youth.

2 - Accomodation and housing:

- Many youth reside with one or both of their parents, but for a growing number safe and
secure accomodation is a very significant area of need.
- Crisis accommodation, emergency, accommodation and refuges work towards satisfying
this need.
- Such accommodation is found in larger towns and cities, often leaving a gap in rural
areas
- For many youth, ‘couch surfing’ is a sad reality as they seek secure accommodation

3 - Transport:
- Public transport services offer youth concessions for travel
 - In areas where public transport is limited or not available, local councils or private
business provide alternatives or specific youth transport services
- Examples include yaxi which operated in the ballina shire and hawkesbury youth
transport options. Such services provide safe transport for geographically isolated youth
to support their social, vocational and emotional health needs.

4 - Legal aid:
- Each state and territory has legal aid services available to youth. Legal aid ACT,
LawStuff, legal aid websites and info lines, and youth legal services all provide free
support and services to youth in need of advice.
- Advice may be in the form of counselling, representation or fact sheets.
- Many youth centres provide information regarding access to legal aid
- The internet provides online assistance that, for many isolated youth, may be extremely
beneficial to their wellbeing

5 - Employment:
- For many youth, employment begins with a part-time job during high school; but this is
dependent on geographical location
- The Australian government offers the indigenous youth mobility programme, which
provides indigenous youth with the opportunity to complete the qualifications they need
to obtain sustainable employment.
- Australian apprenticeships offer opportunities for youth to train, study and earn an
income work may be part-time, full-time or school based.
- Job services australia is the australian government’s national employment services
system: it focuses on providing skills, training, and support to youth aged 21 years and
younger.

6 - Education:
- In Australia, education is compulsory until the age of 17
- Australian youth can attend public educational institutions or, depending on their
circumstances, they may receive their education at a private institution
- With advocates in technology, students in remote regions are able to acquire education,
while mobile youth centres in remote central - australian regions bring support and
education to aboriginal children
- Educational pathways allow youth to acquire training in their prospective field of
employment while still attending school. Disabled youth are able to receive specialised
support and education at schools for the disabled.
- Careers markets and career advisors within schools provide valuable assistance for
youth as they fulfil education requirements.
7 - Counselling:
- Reach out offers valuable support to young people with depression and other mental
health issues.
- Youth off the streets is a welfare organisation that assists homeless youth
- NSW rural youth as its name suggests, supports young people in rural areas
- State government departments, such as Family and community services (formerly
known as DOCS) assist young people, particularly those who are adopted, fostered, or
have a dysfunctional family background.
- Other organisations such as beyond blue, child and adolescent mental health services,
headspace, Kids and Helpline and lifeline can provide services to address mental health
issues.
- Non-government organisations such as the salvation army, mission australia, wesley
mission and anglicare also play a role in addressing aspects of emotional and
psychological wellbeing.

8 - Healthcare:
- The Federal Department of Health offers vaccinations to all youth, including Gardasil to
prevent HPV, and rubella immunisation.
- The Health Care Card allows low-income youth (eg Australian apprentices and Youth
Allowance recipients) to access cheaper prescription medicines and concessions on
healthcare costs.
- Quite often, youth centres can put youths in contact with sexual health clinics, rape crisis
centres and general health practices that bulk bill.
- Mental health services are also provided through community health centres and specific
youth health services.

Factors affecting access to services: (CAR)

- C - Characteristics of individuals within the group - e.g. age, gender, level of education,
culture, type of disability, first language spoken, SES
- R - Resources - e.g. time, money, energy, and knowledge
- A - Aspects of the service - e.g. opening hours, confidentiality, location, staffing

- There are several barriers that can prohibit youth from accessing the services available
to them
- These include the location of services and access to appropriate education
- Youth need both the knowledge that a service exists and the confidence to access an
unfamiliar place or person
- Many young people depend on public transport, and lack of alternatives may make
access very difficult
- However, the internet allows youth to obtain information about many services and
events. The internet is particularly useful for youth in remote regions, as well as youth
who are housebound due to illness or disability.
Characteristics of individuals within youth groups:

AGE
- For many youth, age may prevent them from having knowledge of the services available
to them.
- While discrimination laws clearly state that individuals shall not be discriminated against
on the basis of age, many youth find that their age prevents them from securing a role of
greater responsibility, obtaining adequate accommodation or even having their opinion
respected.
- Their age may mean that they do not possess the skills required for a job but, at the
same time, they are not given the opportunities to acquire the skills because of their age.

GENDER:
- Males are less likely to seek help when confronted with physical or mental health issues.
While this situation is changing slightly, it is still on of the greatest reasons for youth not
accessing services.
- The inclusion of male staff in service agencies works to create an environment where
males feel more comfortable seeking assistance. Nevertheless, often stereotypical
beliefs about males being ‘stronger’ people heighten males sense of inadequacy and
uselessness when asking for help.
- Young women may also feel intimidated if they are confronted by behaviour that they
perceive to be aggressive or humiliating. This may reduce the likelihood that they will
seek help from the services offered.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION:
- In many cases, level of education is directly correlated with a youth’s ability to obtain
employment. If a job provides only a low level of pay, this again limits the youth’s
opportunity to better the situation through further education.
- A low level of education may also present in lowered self-esteem and a lack of self-
worth. If a youth believes they are not worthy, or ‘too dumb’, this may further discourage
them from accessing services.
- And so the cycle continues, unless the youth is able to access educational opportunities
through community services, such as training programs run through youth off the streets.

CULTURE AND FIRST LANGUAGE SPOKEN:

- Cultural background may also be an issue in relation to accessing services, especially if
language is a barrier to effective communication.
- Language proficiency may prevent youth from obtaining employment, either because of
discrimination or low self-esteem.
- Cultural belief systems that say women do not need to be educated, and a related lack
of motivation to be educated, may each be factors that stop female youth from accessing
services.
 - An absence of culturally appropriate assistance may also be a factor in youth not
accessing services.
- An absence of culturally appropriate assistance may also be a factor in youth not
accessing services.

TYPE OF DISABILITY:
- Disability, be it physical, intellectual, psychological or sensory, may it cause youth to feel
uncomfortable accessing services.
- Taunting language and negative body language, coupled with a lack of appropriate
disabled access and facilities, may make access even more difficult. Thus, a youth with
a disability may chose to not use the services available.

SES: (socioeconomic status)

- Some services may be unaffordable for some youth; e.g. driving lessons, golf or skiing
- While there are a significant number of ‘free’ services available to youth, many struggle
economically and are unable to leave their employment to access these services
- A lower SES may also lower a youth’s self-esteem to the point that they are too
embarrassed to seek help, and they sink further into depression.
- For other youth, travelling to service facilities is limited by their inability to pay for
transport
- For rural youth who are more often than not at the mercy of Australia’s erratic weather
patterns and ever-present floods, fire, and famine, the impact of SES is a very significant
limiting factor.

Aspects of the service:

OPENING HOURS:
- Youth are generally involved in full-time study and some pattern of work.
- As a result, their access to services open during business hours (Monday-Friday 9-5pm)
may be limited.
- Some examples of services that strive to overcome this factor are the many 24 hour
fitness centres.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
- Confidentiality and security of information is also an important factor.
- Youth may share their problems with youth workers or school psychologists.
- Websites such as Youthbeyondblue, provide information on a variety of support services
and aspects of confidentiality.
- Kids Helpline offers confidentiality to its clients, with the exception of some ‘duty of care’
situations.
- It is critical that youth feel safe and secure when they access services; service personnel
are often selected for their compassion and ability to deal with situations with sensitivity
and compassion.
LOCATION:
- For the often time-poor youth, the distance of a service facility may prevent their access.
 - It may be the physical distance, the cost of getting to the facility-wither way, location is
the factor.
- The steady increase of online service facilities, which are readily accessible by a greater
majority of youth, is understandable.
- Kids Helpline and Legal Aid both exist to serve youth who, because of geographic
location, are unable to access services in a town or suburb.
STAFFING:
- The staff at venues where young people socialise need to be supportive of the youth.
They should be attentive without patronising.
- Youth enjoy being recognised and valued by significant others.
- Given that males are less likely to access service facilities, many shopfronts are seeking
the employ of younger males in the hope of providing a safe environment conducive to
males who need assistance.
- Equally the employment of staff from culturally diverse backgrounds provides another
dimension of accessibility, as staff are able to address the needs of youth from different
cultural backgrounds.

Resources:

TIME:
- Everyone has the same amount of time available, but it is how we use it that makes it
valuable or an under-utilised resource.
- Many youth waste time participating in social media and watching television or DVD’s.
- Some youth may sleep excessively on weekends, losing time that could be spent
working, playing sport or completing chores.
- Conversely, it may be that the youth is totally engrossed in their study or sporting
pursuits and do not take the time off to explore the many services available to them.
MONEY:
- Money, and access to it, affects youth’s access to services. If activities are expensive, it
will limit the participation of many young people.
- For youth who have the luxuries of living at home and a well-paying job, access to
services is less restricted. But for the youth who live a day-to-day existence, a lack of
money may well limit their dietary, housing, education and health options, as well as
their opportunity and ability to get to service facilities.
- Sadly, for some youth the immediate need to put food in their mouth outweighs having to
pay for transport to visit a service provider.
ENERGY:
- Young people have a lot of energy, but many are passive in their leisure time.
- The need to find companions to accompany them to various places may limit the
opportunities available to them.
 -Some youth may find themselves isolated from others because of their belief and value
systems; this may impact their sense of identity and so their desire to access services.
- Low levels of motivation are closely correlated with energy levels.
KNOWLEDGE:
- Youth who are unaware of the location (or existence) of local facilities (eg PCYC) are
unable to use their services.
- Knowledge is closely linked to education, so some youth may not fully understand their
eligibility for assistance and so fail to even apply for it.
- It is in these instances that youth centres play a major role in advising (and educating)
youth of the services available.