1.6.5 E. Worker as institutional reformer

The problem for young people is the way they are excluded and oppressed by the main institutions of society. Few are really listened to at school – and certainly not about how they could be better taught. Many are oppressed by the forces of law and order – and even by local community groups who are threatened by often harmless if boisterous behaviour. The job market wants to slot them into dead-end jobs. The doctors often treat them as appendages of their parents. These institutions need to treat young people with more respect. So, as a worker, I must spend quite a bit of time with these institutions encouraging them to reassess their service in relation to young people and involving young people in any re-design.

(Adapted from an idea by Leigh and Smart, 1985.)