An ABC of mentors’ talk about disaffected youth: Alternative lifestyles, Benefit dependency, or Complete dunces?

Colley, Helen (2001) An ABC of mentors’ talk about disaffected youth: Alternative lifestyles, Benefit dependency, or Complete dunces? Youth & Policy (72). pp. 1-15. ISSN 0262-9798

Abstract

Draws evidence from an empirical research project to examine the assumption that mentors are empathic with the excluded youth with whom they work. Empathy is a nonjudgmental stance, & this avoidance of authoritarianism is necessary for mentors. The data come from semistructured interviews with nine pairs of volunteer undergraduates who mentored youth in a program called "New Beginnings." The results show that the mentors saw the social exclusion of the youth involved as deviance, or a threat to society. Therefore, there was little empathy for or acceptance of them. Suggestions are made for a diversity model that would locate solutions within communities, rather than trying to change the individual.

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