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Since it's founding in 1997, the CYC-Net discussion group has been asked thousands of questions. These questions often generate many replies from people in all spheres of the Child and Youth Care profession and contain personal experiences, viewpoints, as well as recommended resources.
Below are some of the threads of discussions on varying Child and Youth Care related topics.
Questions and Responses have been reproduced verbatim.
Listen to thisHello All!
Do you think that spirituality should be considered a development
domain?
Why or why not?
Celeste Clifford
Pittsburgh
United States
...
I think it would be important to define 'spirituality'. To me,
spirituality is a connection between myself and the world around me.
My spirituality guides my decisions; it is part of my system of values,
morals and beliefs. I believe that a sense of spirituality must be
consciously cultivated.
I absolutely believe that spirituality is a developmental domain.
I see the Baby Boomers as having brought a lot of this to light in their
mid-life quest for self and how it has been reflected in marketing
campaigns. This sense of spirituality used to be discovered, for
many native cultures, in the entrance to manhood ceremonies, for
example. Maybe the western world are late bloomers, but, to me, if
we discovered our own inner spirituality at a younger age than 55
perhaps we would all get along a little better?
Interesting question. I shall ponder this all day now!
Thanks,
Laura.
...
Hi Celeste,
My first question before answering whether I think spirituality should
be considered a developmental domain or not is, what is your definition
of spirituality?
Donneth Dennis
...
Of course. Goals can be set and objectives (progress) tracked.
Let me know if you want specific examples, but generally the youth can
generally come up with these goals easily.
Alfonso Ramirez, Jr.
...
My own experience developed around reading and talking, and adolescents
are definitely capable of conceptualizing the precepts of a spiritual
vision. Perhaps the key element for facilitating this dimension
developmentally would be willingness to engage youth in conversation
(dialogue) openly without judgment. I think there can be some
risks if people don't discuss and reflect on their thoughts as indicated
in the controversy around spiritual communes vs. 'cults'.
MK
...
Hi Linda – Further to your idea of experiencing spirit I would like to
offer this. The more we experience things outside our selves, the
more confident we grow. Focusing outward increases our ability to
both connect with others and find a sense of confidence in our own
abilities.
The high school here requires a certain number of volunteer hours to
graduate. This is a great way to involve youth early in their
community. We just finished a huge Trash Bash weekend where
everyone goes out and retrieves garbage from the forest and streets
around town. I believe that, as adults, we inadvertently teach
children to be selfish by not reaching out ourselves, as parents, into
the communities. Spirituality, as you pointed out, can be
experienced at any age.
Thanks for the discussion. I have learned a great deal from the Child and Youth Care net. I shall add this topic to my quiet ponder moments!
:)
Laura
...
Laura – that was so well articulated by you. I
couldn't agree with you more. Spirituality is difficult to describe to
some and also difficult to find a place to jump off of when presenting
to youth. I believe many would benefit greatly. Simply, it
may begin by stepping out the door and looking to the sky, the stars,
all the unknowns. It is a world beyond the immediate. As
youths are so focused on self and their surroundings, why wouldn't it be
beneficial to offer up an alternative which begins with nature and
beauty beyond one self. I believe that one doesn't have to grow old to
experience spirit. We would be cognizant of not presenting our own
belief, just offering an opportunity for youth to find their own spirit.
Linda Moore
...
Other boomers read 'Siddhartha' and 'The Prophet' around 20 yrs of age.
:)
Mike Kaminski
