FEATURE ARTICLE — “Youth Voice” benefits youth, communities: 4-H provides multiple opportunities for Youth Voice

4-H Teen Council members plan, set up and facilitate the annual overnight  4-H Lock-In for 4th and 5th graders. The teens form four committees: games, education, crafts and food.
4-H Teen Council members plan, set up and facilitate the annual overnight 4-H Lock-In for 4th and 5th graders. The teens form four committees: games, education, crafts and food.

By Tracy Anderson, Extension Educator

What is Youth Voice? Youth Voice occurs when youth are given opportunities to influence by sharing opinions, knowledge and ideas. It occurs when youth have the confidence and skills to contribute to something important to them.

BENEFIT TO YOUTH
Research shows Youth Voice — also known as Teen Voice — is one of three important components that make a positive impact in teens’ lives. The other two components include 1) Teens’ Sparks: things in life that give meaning and joy to their lives and 2) Teens’ Relationships: this includes support and encouragement by caring adults.

According to the Search Institute’s Teen Voice 2010 study, the three core components, Teens’ Sparks, Teens’ Relationships and Teens’ Voice, are “critical for helping teens do well in school, contribute to their communities and make positive choices. Cultivating these strengths can help to ensure that young people are ready for college, work and life.”

While all three components were individually studied, this article will focus on the outcomes of the Youth Voice component. The Youth Voice study included the Teen Voice Index which measured leadership, personal power, comfort expressing their voice, community problem solving and civic involvement. Results of the study indicate only 22 percent of teens surveyed scored high on all of these areas. In addition, 56 percent indicated they had the personal power to make good things happen in their own lives and 55 percent felt at least somewhat comfortable suggesting activities to adults and sharing their ideas with adults.

Not surprisingly, teens who experience caring relationships with adults were more likely to score high on the Teen Voice Index as a whole, as well as individual parts.

BENEFIT TO COMMUNITIES
When youth join community groups, councils and boards, they share their point of view and provide new ideas and solutions to critical community issues. Youth and adults also increase their understanding of each other.

Research suggests, “…young people can become empowered to be problem-solvers, decision-makers and committed leaders who will lead community development efforts in the future” (Barnett & Brennan; Benson, 2007; Brennan, Barnett, & Lesmeister, 2007).

When youth are allowed to have a voice in community efforts, research has shown there is a decrease in traditional problem behaviors which helps the community and youth. For example, the likelihood of using drugs and alcohol, dropping out of school and criminal behavior lessens. In addition, youth who are involved in the community tend to have higher academic performance, and lower rates of pregnancy and marijuana use (Crooks, C. V., Chiodo, D., & Thomas, D., 2010).

4-H OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH VOICE
Positive youth development programs like 4-H provide opportunities for youth to experience caring relationships from adults, helping youth develop confidence, skills and opportunities to express what is important to them.

4-H clubs — A 4-H club is an organized group of young people that meet regularly with adult volunteers to focus on a series of educational experiences. In this setting, adults can give youth a strong voice by allowing them to be leaders within their 4-H clubs and help youth learn parliamentary procedure. Youth can also help determine 4-H projects, programs and activities.

Teen Council — The Lancaster County 4-H Teen Council is a leadership organization for youth in grades 7–12. Members are involved in several leadership activities such as organizing the annual 4th & 5th Grade Lock-In. Teens also participate in community service projects. Teens involved in Lancaster County Teen Council are encouraged to have a voice. The teens elect officers, use parliamentary procedure to lead the meetings, determine their programming and lead committees.

4-H Council — Comprised of adult and youth volunteers, 4-H Council represents the interests of youth, parents and leaders in Lancaster County. Youth are selected for the roles of vice president and secretary. All youth members are encouraged to have a voice by sharing their ideas and opinions. All members vote on motions.

4-H county committees — Several 4-H VIPS (Volunteers in Program Service) committees help determine program area policy, as well as plan shows, clinics and classes held at the Super Fair, etc. Comprised of youth and adults, youth are encouraged to share their voice at meetings and help with the overall program. For example, youth serving on Horse VIPS help run some horse shows at the Lancaster County Super Fair and help with clinics. Youth serving on Rabbit VIPS help determine clinic topics and present materials and information at rabbit clinics and shows.

Statewide 4-H boards, advisory councils — At times, statewide 4-H youth boards and advisory groups are created to help determine contest content, meeting agendas, curriculum, etc. and provide youth an opportunity to share their voice. The Youth PASE (Premier Animal Science Experience) and Life Challenge Youth Advisory Board are comprised of youth from all parts of the state. They help determine contest content and plan additional pre- and post-contest learning experiences.

Teaching — Teaching is another way Teen Voice occurs through 4-H. 4-H provides several models of this, including the Teens as Teachers (teens not previously reached through 4-H teach youth), 4-H Food Smart Families Teen Ambassadors (teens teach nutrition and health to youth) and Ag Innovators (teens teach innovative agricultural topics to youth). Teens also teach or help teach Clover College and other county workshops. Throughout — and at the end of these experiences — teens are encouraged to share their thoughts, opinions and experiences. Based on this input, changes to programs and workshops often occurs.

4-H’ERS SAY HOW THEY EXPERIENCE YOUTH VOICE THROUGH 4-H
“As a 4-H club and Teen Council member, I feel I have had the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions freely. I have shared ideas for community service projects within my clubs, which myself and my club members have completed. 4-H has helped me build my communication and leadership skills, which I have been able to use both in and outside of 4-H.”
— Kylie Hansen, member of the Clever Clovers and Teen Council 4-H clubs

“In Teen Council meetings, the dialogue is very open. People offer ideas and we consider them as a group. This has helped me, along with everyone else, work together constructively and let the best ideas win.”
— John Boesen, member of the Go Go Goat Getters and Teen Council 4-H clubs

“I enjoy being on 4-H Council because I get to discuss relevant events and business within Lancaster County 4-H. Hearing people talk about how much fun they had at an event I helped plan is always heartwarming, it makes me feel like I made someone’s day better. 4-H Council has helped me find my voice.”
— Anna Sump, member of Teen Council and served on 4-H Council three years