Philosophy in youth and community work

'We should be tolerant of others.' 'I work in a democratic way.' 'Young people respect me.' 'It!AZs all about getting them to trust you.' 'I just talk to young people.' 'We should treat everyone as an individual.' These are things that, as youth workers, we all say. And we all think we know what we mean. But do we agree with each other? And what does each of us understand by terms such as democracy, tolerance, fairness, trust, respect, conversation, self, society, individualism, collectivism, community and autonomy? Does it matter? It is the conversations (words) we have and the meanings (ideas) that we help young people create in their lives that define us.

But, if we are not precise in our arguments, and questioning about the assumptions behind our ideas and language, we risk leaving young people unable to reason, and C as a result - in danger of being taken in by fallacious arguments, slogans, sales pitches, false promises and propaganda. To help youth workers enhance their skills in helping young people, this book shows C in measured, careful language C how we can identify and explore the assumptions behind our work. It raises questions about the values we should hold in relating to each other, the nature of these relationships, and what it is to be a person in society.

In ways that are complementary to publications by Young, Banks and Roberts, it: !n looks at the fundamental concerns of youth and community work !n helps workers at all levels - and young people C dig deeper and ask questions about who creates knowledge that is offered to them !n encourages and explores a diversity of philosophical outlook !n brings various outlooks together to help us understand the tensions that do arise in our work, as well as the coherence amongst them.