HURT 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s URBAN Teenagers Chap Clark Professor of Youth, Family and Culture www.fuller.edu

HURT 2.0: It’s been a ride, started in a school…

HURT 2.0: t’s been a ride, started in a school… and has continued to drive me

Review for some, new for others…

Growing up starts young…

When is someone an “adult”? Why I got into this… “The HURT guy” Development and youth ministry… When is someone an “adult”? What does this mean for many urban kids?

Understanding growing up… Individuation and the Three Tasks of Adolescence Individuation: The process of becoming a unique person Identity – Who am I? Autonomy – POWER Autonomy – Do I matter? Belonging – Does anybody care?

Understanding growing up… The overall process Timing and duration

Timing and Duration Puberty Culture Pre-1900 14.5 16 1970-1980s 13 18/20 11/12 mid-20s Today

The overall process Timing and duration Changing Stages Understanding growing up… The overall process Timing and duration Changing Stages

Changing Stages 1930s-1990s Independent Dependent Interdependent 14-15 13 18-20 Dependent Interdependent

Teenage brain “If you think of the teenage brain as a car, today's adolescents acquire an accelerator a long time before they can steer and brake.” - WSJ, What’s wrong with the teenage mind?“ Alison Gopnik, January 28, 2012

Changing Stages 1990s-2000s Independent Dependent Interdependent 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s Dependent Interdependent

Changing Stages Independent Emerging Adulthood Dependent mid2000-Today Independent 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s early-30s? Emerging Adulthood J. J. Arnett Dependent Interdependent

Society’s response to kids Understanding growing up… The overall process Timing and duration Changing Stages Society’s response to kids

I. The History and Trajectory of Youth Ministry Adults and kids

Urban Kids have been abandoned An overview of research on kids: What data shows us… Adolescence itself has changed Urban Kids have been abandoned Less adult support for kids More stress, pain than ever

Across the board, this is the MOST STRESSED generation in history How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT Across the board, this is the MOST STRESSED generation in history

Cultural reality? An exponential loss of Social Capital from those who are necessary in the lives of our kids

From fragmentation to atomization

How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT The Cost:

They live out of multiple identities all How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT They live out of multiple identities

The “successful” kids learn to adapt all How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT The “successful” kids learn to adapt

all How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT Peers and friendships

What a child needs: 1. Family Influence 2. Healthy Attachment Response to URBAN HURTing Kids What a child needs: 1. Family Influence 2. Healthy Attachment

What every kid needs: Family Influence Family Safety and Stability 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s Family Safety and Stability

Paternal Style Attachment What every kid needs: Family Influence 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s Hope Communal Attachment Comfort Paternal Style Attachment GentlenessMaternal Style Attachment Family Safety and Stability

For most there are holes in the net… Childhood Attachment Youth Professional Community Attachment Family Safety and Stability

5 to 1 Project: A Community for Every Kid For most there are holes in the net… Youth Professional Family Friend Ext Family Childhood Attachment Community Attachment Small Group Teacher/ Coach Family Safety and Stability 5 to 1 Project: A Community for Every Kid

HURT 2.0: Caring for today’s kids: Changing how we do what we do to Serve and love in today’s culture

HURT 2.0: What is life like for urban kids today? (Overview of the Research) What are their most basic needs? (Overview of Development) What is our response? (Overview of Response)

Life Today: Basic Needs: Ministry Response: Extended adolescence To find a safe place to land Ministry Response: Biblical discipleship vs. shaming and manipulation

Life Today: Basic Needs: Ministry Response: Lack of Social Capital Supportive adults and systems Ministry Response: Trained (and committed) volunteer leaders

Life Today: Basic Needs: Ministry Response: Weirdness of adaptation Empowered to explore life Ministry Response: Provide voice and opportunities

Life Today: Basic Needs: Ministry Response: Morality? Really… Morals?? Find a moral compass Ministry Response: Recast ethical teaching (Modeling)

Life Today: Basic Needs: Ministry Response: (Kids) At the Margins Broader exposure/life experience Ministry Response: Invite to agency in kingdom

Life Today: Basic Needs: Ministry Response: The REAL SCOOP on lasting faith Basic Needs: To embrace their own spiritual journey Ministry Response: Move toward adoption as the goal of youth ministry