As #PreventionMonth enters its last week, this is an ideal time to acknowledge that prevention programs and campaigns focusing on substance misuse, mental health awareness, digital wellness and literacy, and other public health issues too often overlook the importance of meaningfully engaging youth - viewing youth as just beneficiaries of prevention strategies but not as a driving force behind cultural shifts. Their involvement is frequently sidelined or tokenized, and adults often inadvertently undermine their contributions.
Let’s consider why engaging youth in prevention efforts is essential, what common ways adults unintentionally sabotage their involvement, and what actionable tips there are to foster a culture of youth empowerment.
Why Youth Engagement Matters in Prevention
Youth as Stakeholders: Prevention efforts targeting young people are more robust when shaped by their voices. They live in environments where risky behaviors occur, understand the nuances of peer influence, and relate to their peers in ways adults cannot. Engaging them helps to bring authenticity and relevance to any initiative.
Long-Term Change: Empowering youth instills a sense of responsibility and ownership over prevention efforts. Youth with a sense of ownership increases the likelihood of sustainable change because they more commonly continue advocating for and embodying these values.
Innovative and Creative Approaches: Youth bring fresh perspectives, solutions, and alternatives to the status quo. Involving youth can lead to creative strategies that are not yet considered by more experienced, although sometimes rigid, adult minds.
How Adults May Unintentionally Sabotage Youth Involvement
While most adults have the best intentions when working with youth, certain behaviors or attitudes can dampen youth enthusiasm and limit the effectiveness of their involvement. Four common ways adults may unwittingly sabotage youth engagement include:
Micromanagement: Adults sometimes need to control the process and make all the decisions, leaving little room for youth to lead. Micromanaging discourages young people from contributing their unique insights, as they sense their input is undervalued.
Tokenism: Inviting youth to participate without giving them any real power or decision-making ability can make their involvement feel superficial. Youth often know when they are being used to check a box, and this disingenuous approach can turn them away from future engagement.
Dismissal of Ideas: Adults may, consciously or unconsciously, dismiss or downplay youth ideas as naïve or impractical. When young people’s perspectives are invalidated, they can become disillusioned and disengaged.
Overemphasis on Experience: Adults may overvalue professional experience and education, believing that youth need more time or maturity before they can contribute meaningfully. This attitude overlooks young people’s valuable experiences, particularly as they relate to today’s challenges.
Tips to Create Meaningful Youth Engagement in Prevention
Give Youth Real Decision-Making Power: If youth are involved in a prevention effort, ensure they have a meaningful role, not just a seat at the table. Whether shaping campaigns, leading initiatives, or creating messaging, allow young people to experience real decision-making power.
Mentorship, Not Control: Adults should serve as mentors, guiding and supporting youth without micromanaging. Help build the confidence that ensures youth feel trusted and capable of leading essential efforts.
Celebrate Innovation and Risk-Taking: Create opportunities for young people to think outside the box and be open to their bold ideas. Not every idea will be feasible, but exploring creative solutions should be encouraged and celebrated.
Create a Collaborative Environment: Commit to fostering youth and adult partnerships that value each other’s perspectives. An environment that creates a more inclusive and practical approach to prevention and helps youth feel respected and heard is a win-win.
Provide Continuous Opportunities for Involvement: Keep youth involved beyond a single event or initiative. Establish a consistent pipeline for meaningful youth engagement so that their passion for prevention can grow over time and they can see the tangible results of their contributions.
Engaging youth in prevention efforts is not just a box to check—it’s a critical component in driving real change. When adults recognize and address behaviors that limit youth involvement, we can strive to create environments where youth meaningfully participate and lead the way toward healthier, safer communities.
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