Youth Work Practice 2

This unit begins by looking at a definition of 'youth' and explains the importance of understanding the concept of adolescence and youth. It discusses the meaning and different concepts of adolescent welfare and wellbeing and describes the contemporary socio-economic and political context of adolescent welfare.



This unit provides a definition of 'youth' as determined socially and culturally, as well as biologically whereby adolescent welfare is defined as socially constructed as well as a physical phenomenon that is integrated with social structures and processes. Using this integration of social structures and processes with the physiological challenges of adolescence this unit will canvass the range of adolescent issues that are prevalent today.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Examine adolescent welfare within the context of adolescent physical development;
2. Articulate the social construction of current transition patterns from childhood to adulthood;
3. Discuss adolescent welfare in relation to experimentation and risk taking as young men and women develop their identities and personalities based on their own judgements, and the judgment of others;
4. Determine current adolescent welfare issues including drugs and alcohol, anxiety and depression, peers and family relationships, social inclusion and capital and its impact on an individual's welfare; and
5. Investigate current policy and practices of adolescent welfare programs offered in Victoria.