Youth Attitudes and Values in the Asia Pacific Region Asia Pacific Lasallian Educators Congress 2005 12 December 2005, CSB Hotel Dr. Barbara Wong-Fernandez

1. Is there a set of youth attitudes and values particularly in the Asia Pacific region? 2. What are some attitudes and values that define the normal youth and disaffected youth of Asia? 3. How should adults deal with the attitudes and values of the youth?

Asian values on human rights 1. Rights are culturally specific. 2. The community takes precedence over individuals. 3. Social and economic rights take precedence over civil and political rights. 4. Rights are a matter of national sovereignty.

TERMINAL VALUES (Rokeach) a comfortable life a world of peace an exciting life a world of beauty a sense of accomplishment equality family security pleasure freedom salvation happiness self-respect inner harmony social recognition mature love true friendship national security wisdom

TOP YOUTH VALUES FAMILY FRIENDS COMMUNICATION LEARNING IDENTITY

THE GENERATIONS The Elders The Boomers Generation X Generation Y - the Ne(x)t Generation Over 60; belief in order, authority, discipline, and the Golden Rule Born mid-1940s to mid-1960s; autonomous rebels, communitarians, loyal to careers Born mid-1960s to early 1980s; thrill-seeking, materialists, mechanized, hedonists Born 1980s to 2000s; “creators, not recipients”, curious, digitized, flexible, collaborative, high in self-esteem

Don’t generalize. Don’t ignore individuals who are different. Don’t try to be “one of them”. Don’t alienate the youth.

RESPECTFUL Religious/spiritual identity Economic class background Sexual identity Psychological maturity Ethnic/racial identity Chronological/developmental challenges Trauma & other threats to sense of well-being Family background and history Unique physical characteristics Location of residence and language differences RESPECTFUL