Assignment 5: Understanding Youth Work

 After reading "Wood, Westwood, and Thompson", I think I understand youth work a little more.

1 Quote; "Youth workers purposefully intervene in young people's lives, creating opportunities, activities and conversations that aim to enable young people to think, feel and act differently towards their social world." This is basically saying that youth workers give young kids opportunities to learn about themselves and about the real world in a way.

2 New ideas; A new idea for me is that youth workers will use some personal information in order to guide young kids in a kind way. This is mainly a surprise to me as when things get personal in the real world, it is seen as rude and invasive. But here, it's ok since youth workers use said information to guide them and give advice based on what they know. Another new idea is that when it comes to picking a social worker, go for the one that challenges the young kids behaviors. When there is someone who encourages bad behavior, it leads to more bad behavior. But when you have someone that will challenge and give ideas to go against bad behavior, that will make youths create new solutions and that person will be drilled into their heads in a way. Both of these are good ideas to get from this paper.

3 Key Vocabulary;

1) Anti-oppressive place; A place where social justice is practiced and works to eliminate prejudice against any form of minority

2) Holistic; Including all of something, not just a piece of the same thing

3)Anti-social behavior; Not wanting to interact with people

This is my 123, that I got from this writing. 

As for a connection to the real world, I would like to talk about my therapy place as it could technically count as a Youth Work program. It's called Social Sparks, where it acts like group therapy. After our session, we have a specific even after wards, sometimes we play games or walk to a place near by or make some crafts. This is our "club" as we call it, happens every Friday. If needed, we can also ask for a one on one session with one of the therapists. I got it and felt better. This place is also very inclusive, no prejudice at all.

Assignment 4: Values

 My two main values from the paper are “Health” and “Understanding”. 

When it comes to “Health”, I am currently getting therapy (“Health” can be mental too). Currently in the world, Atleast in America, health care is incredibly hard to get thanks to money and it’s even harder for LGBT people thanks to the current president. Fully living this value would be getting to go out with my friends and family just to do something nice.

When it comes to “Understanding”, I want to learn more about what I don’t know at the moment. While there are lots of stupid people in the world, I will not falter and fall to their tricks. I’ll admit that I don’t know everything, I can ask my teachers and peers questions about things I don’t know. I can also ask my family about difficult situations.

A connection to the real world that I can make is actually a YouTube channel about a doctor reactions to certain things, like shows and memes. He sometimes plays games too. His name is Doctor Mike, and he is amazing. He actively fact checks both memes and TV shows. Doctor Mike is also very hilarious and has a good sense of humor. In a way, he also has “Health” and “Understanding” values. Here is a link to his channel: https://youtube.com/@doctormike?si=ejLXxefDlEY4Iq_j

Assignment #3: Out Of School Time

 An after school activity that I did back in my old high school was Unified Track and Field. It was basically a combination of different Track and Field sports for those that are mentally and physically disabled. I will admit, I had a lot of fun, I also meet some new friends there so that was good. My main events were the 100 meter run, Long Jump (which I was the worst at, I never once liked it), and Shot Put. Despite my distaste to the Long Jump, I won't say I didn't like my time there. Unlike my second sport after school, Basketball. I was never good at this, and I hated it the entire time. I only tried it to see if I would like it and I did not. The only reason I stayed for the whole season was because everyone wanted me to see it all the way through. However, I'm glad I did, because now I know that I will never be a Basketball player. Need to try new things anyway, as my mom said. In a way, kids of the current generation should also need to learn this. If they don't try, how will they learn about their future interests and potential hobbies.

A connection to the real world that I found is a website called Bright Stars. It has a page where it explains everything that they do, help making experiences for young kids to develop their brains. With different programs for different kids. This might be for elementary school kids, it's still something that connects to the real world. They are the younger generation after all, so they need to learn about things in the real world. 

Assignment 2:This Book Is Anti-Racist

 While reading "This Book Is Anti-Racist" I felt seen in a way. I am autistic with a mix of ADHD and anxiety, so I am not exactly normal. I have essentially been taught to either "fit in" or be ostracized. It also doesn't help that I am also Nonbinary, so I am neither a boy or a girl. I don't fit in with gender or neurotypical, so where do I belong? Fortunately, I was able to meet some people that I do fit in with, even have some similar interests in media, so I am no longer alone.

A connection that I could make would be to the Disney show, The Owl House. The main character, Luz, finds herself in another world and learns how to become a witch by learning from the infamous Eda the Owl Lady also living with a young demon named King. This show was well known for having a diverse set of characters as well as having queer characters, Luz being bisexual for example. Luz is also neurodivergent, not quite "fitting in" her class, so the magic world is literally an escape from the normal world.