Centering marginalized positive youth development constructs: examining perspectives and experiences of racially, ethnically, and gender minoritized practitioners and youth

Angela Malorni; C. H. Lea; T. M. Jones; K. McCowan; H. J. Crumé

doi:10.1080/10705422.2023.2215231

Centering marginalized positive youth development constructs: examining perspectives and experiences of racially, ethnically, and gender minoritized practitioners and youth

Angela Malorni, C. H. Lea, T. M. Jones, K. McCowan, H. J. Crumé

School of Social Work

Rutgers, The State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Positive youth development (PYD) measurement tools are influenced by the social positionalities, ideologies, and interests of those who create them. Historically, racial, ethnic, and gender-minoritized practitioners and youth program participants have been excluded from the development and testing of PYD measures. In particular, they have been excluded from the conceptual work of defining and operationalizing central PYD constructs, from which PYD measurement and implementation are rooted. Furthermore, the existing constructs are subjective qualities, characteristics, and normative behaviors. The role and impact of power, privilege, and oppression on PYD are often missing from PYD constructs, yet they play an important role in PYD practice with racially, ethnically, and gender-diverse youth. This paper aims to center the knowledge and experiences of marginalized youth practitioners and youth in the conceptualization of PYD constructs. A multiple qualitative case study design and a purposive, convenience sampling approach were used to identify programs within a publicly funded, county-wide initiative in the pacific northwest that serves Black, Indigenous, or person of color, immigrant or refugee, and/or trans- or non-binary youth. The inductive analysis identified three key constructs: racial and social identity development, socio-emotional development, and youth-centered program environment. Participants emphasized communitarian understandings of identity development, a clear articulation of social justice principles across constructs, and emphasized relational practices and environmental factors over youth characteristics. We outline results in detail and discuss how youth and adult service providers’ perspectives can help inform a more empowering and relevant model for evaluating PYD interventions.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	152-173
Number of pages	22
Journal	Journal of Community Practice
Volume	31
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2023.2215231
State	Published - 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Development
Sociology and Political Science
Public Administration

Keywords

Youth development
community-based practice
marginalized youth
measurement

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10.1080/10705422.2023.2215231

Cite this

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title = "Centering marginalized positive youth development constructs: examining perspectives and experiences of racially, ethnically, and gender minoritized practitioners and youth",

abstract = "Positive youth development (PYD) measurement tools are influenced by the social positionalities, ideologies, and interests of those who create them. Historically, racial, ethnic, and gender-minoritized practitioners and youth program participants have been excluded from the development and testing of PYD measures. In particular, they have been excluded from the conceptual work of defining and operationalizing central PYD constructs, from which PYD measurement and implementation are rooted. Furthermore, the existing constructs are subjective qualities, characteristics, and normative behaviors. The role and impact of power, privilege, and oppression on PYD are often missing from PYD constructs, yet they play an important role in PYD practice with racially, ethnically, and gender-diverse youth. This paper aims to center the knowledge and experiences of marginalized youth practitioners and youth in the conceptualization of PYD constructs. A multiple qualitative case study design and a purposive, convenience sampling approach were used to identify programs within a publicly funded, county-wide initiative in the pacific northwest that serves Black, Indigenous, or person of color, immigrant or refugee, and/or trans- or non-binary youth. The inductive analysis identified three key constructs: racial and social identity development, socio-emotional development, and youth-centered program environment. Participants emphasized communitarian understandings of identity development, a clear articulation of social justice principles across constructs, and emphasized relational practices and environmental factors over youth characteristics. We outline results in detail and discuss how youth and adult service providers{\textquoteright} perspectives can help inform a more empowering and relevant model for evaluating PYD interventions.",

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AU - Crumé, H. J.

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Centering marginalized positive youth development constructs: examining perspectives and experiences of racially, ethnically, and gender minoritized practitioners and youth

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

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