The Journey of Adolescence

Identity INDIVIDUATION Autonomy Belonging The TASK of Adolescence: It’s about POWER! What it looks like now “Who am I?” “Do my choices matter?” “Where do I fit?”

Timing and Duration Understanding the Changing Adolescent Journey

Timing and Duration Pre 1900 Puberty 1980 Culture /20

Puberty 1980 Culture /20 Today 12 mid 20s Timing and Duration Pre 1900

Timing and Duration From 2 to 3 Stages Understanding the Changing Adolescent Journey

Dependent Interdependent Independent Stages of the Adolescent Journey s

11/12mid to late 20s 14/1519/ Stages of the Adolescent Journey Independent Interdependent Dependent

The NATURE of ADOLESCENCE has changed The big question is… WHY?

Major Shifts in Society Higher education Delay in Marriage Shorter less stable careers Financial dependence

Timing and Duration From 2 to 3 Stages Understanding the Changing Adolescent Journey Needs of kids vs adult support

The NATURE of ADOLESCENCE has changed Is there MORE or LESS “social capital” over the last few decades?

The State of Postmodern kids: skills needed for successful adulthood

ongoing adult support and guidance offered The State of Postmodern kids:

skills needed adult support The State of Postmodern kids:

“…These two trends have created a serious problem in our country, indeed a crisis.” Dr. James Comer, Yale Carnegie Corporation’s Commission on Youth Development and Community Programs, 1989

The State of Postmodern kids:

Consumerism Commercialisation: Branding is VIP for youth Objectification: Sexualisation of children & youth Devaluing of humanity: Commodity to be exploited Media saturated culture: Sports, Fashion, Entertainment “They’re worth more than their job or what they wear”

“The WORLD BENEATH” is alive and well…

Peers and friendships How kids have responded to abandonment The phenomenon of Clusters

4 Tiers of Developmental Influence Parents Non-parental committed adults/peers Non-parental non-committed adults/peers Broader Ecology, Media

11/12 mid to late 20s 14/1519/21 What an adolescent needs … Maternal & Paternal Attachment Paternal & Maternal Attachment Family safety and stability Trust Communication Communication Closeness Closeness A Safe Haven Youth Leader Pathfinder Leader School Teacher

11/12 mid to late 20s 14/1519/21 What an adolescent needs … Maternal Attachment Paternal Attachment Family safety and stability Trust Communication Communication Closeness Closeness Community Attachment A Safe Haven

Multiple Candles Adolescents often have multiple candles burning. School, Family, Church, Friends, Internet, Second life, Farmville, Sims, Facebook Note: They need to eventually bring these multiples identities together into one candle and become resolved as one person.

The 6 Longings of Today’s Kids 1.I long to belong 2.I long to be taken seriously 3.I long to matter 4.I long for a safe place 5.I long to be uniquely me 6.I long to be wanted

Church Body Youth Ministry Programming

Adoptional Model of YM Church Body Entry Level Casual association level Community building friendship and discipleship level Intimate Relationship Level Mentoring Level Outreach Levels Social/fellowship events Discipleship/Christian events Connecting in meaningful relationships Willing to be loved and led by an adult Adopted into the body of believers

Pauls counsel We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 1 Thess 2:6-8

Pauls counsel For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2:11-12

Our Role as Youth Leaders Model life with Christ Show unconditional positive regard “LOVE EM” Mentor them before they’re lovable Build relational credit while they’re young Keep it Jesus focused Have fun with them Note: They won’t thank you for 10 years, but it’s worth the wait.