The 411 On The Term At-RISK
Some people define “at risk” to only mean youth who are economically disadvantaged and come from dysfunctional homes. Although this sometimes innocent perception stinks-up society in general and local communities in particular, it does not mean that the people should be satisfied with it. It does mean that we (as community) would/should see the term “at risk” in a new light and in doing so seek to (for the sake of our youth) refine our individual, group and organizational values, temperaments, priorities, and perceptions.
Both adults and youth have the power to remove “youth damaging” cultural, political and spiritual boundaries; but the adults are the ones are primarily responsible, unfortunately many “grassroots” folk/leaders regardless of status either don’t know how to or don’t care to change. This lack of knowledge and parallel apathy is expressed in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (KJV) and Proverbs 29:16 “Where there is no vision the people parish” (KJV).
The official Social Ecology Aquatic and Leadership (S.E.A.L.) Project definition of “at risk” summed up in our mission, vision and ethos; means ANY youth who experiences a significant mismatch between their circumstances and their basic needs. This mismatch can be enhanced or minimized dependent upon the willingness of the community (family, church, school, business and government) to accept, accommodate, and respond to youth in a manner that supports their maximum spiritual, cognitive, emotional and behavioral growth. Support is important, because without it the degree of one’s mismatch increases, and so will the likelihood that he/she will fail to progress towards pro-social spiritual, cognitive, emotional and behavioral transformation.
Eliminating youth development mismatches should be a high priority for everyone; because doing so improves society by enhancing the community’s ability to ensure that youth have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be successful in the next stage of their lives— pro-social spiritual, social, economic, and political adulthood.
For more information on how YOU can be part of the solution (click here).
