Connecting with Girls, Connects Them to You: Toward a "By Girls - For Girls" Approach
By Judy Schoenberg, Ed.M.
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 12, Number 2, 2005, Pages 18-20, Item# A122-SCHOENBERG
Abstract:
As part of its continuing commitment to develop programs which are relevant to girls today, in 2001 the Girl Scout Research Institute conducted a large national research initiative with girls ages 11-17. Through focus groups, surveys and interviews, over 3,000 girls nationally (75% girls at-large and 25% current Girl Scout members), shared what's important to them in programs for youth.
One of the most significant messages from this research was that in order to increase youth involvement and participation in programs, adults must first listen to the girls. If programs are designed by the girls, it is more likely that they will be for girls.
Areas which the girls in the research said were important were the need for a safe space, for empowering activities, to share responsibilities with the adults in the program, and for a variety of activities to choose from. Throughout this article, direct quotes from the girls put these ideas into context.
One of the most significant messages from this research was that in order to increase youth involvement and participation in programs, adults must first listen to the girls. If programs are designed by the girls, it is more likely that they will be for girls.
Areas which the girls in the research said were important were the need for a safe space, for empowering activities, to share responsibilities with the adults in the program, and for a variety of activities to choose from. Throughout this article, direct quotes from the girls put these ideas into context.
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This article can be found in the issue:
Involving and Engaging Youth
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 12, Number 2, 2005
Before youth can benefit from high quality after-school programs, they need to be drawn into a program and consistently engaged by it. This issue takes a special look at involving middle- and high-school aged youth in after-school programs and keeping them engaged.
This issue also featured these articles:
- • Connecting with Girls, Connects Them to You: Toward a "By Girls - For Girls" Approach, Pages 18-20
- • Developing School Connectedness in Diverse Youth Through Extracurricular Programming, Pages 14-17
- • Engaging Adolescents in Out-of-School Time Programs: Learning What Works, Pages 7-10
- • Improving Participation in After-School Programs, Pages 11-13
- • Recruitment and Retention in Youth Development Programming, Pages 3-6
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