Developmental Differences in Youth Voice Between Adolescents and Young Adults Engaged in Community Service

• In Event: Community-Centered Approach to Out-of-School-Time Research

Abstract

This study explores how the PeaceJam program fosters youth voice among high school students and college mentors, highlighting the differences in how each group experiences and expresses this voice. Using developmental contextualism, ecological systems theory, and sociocultural theory, the study examines how these experiences influence their agency, moral development, purpose, and identity. Ethnographic methods reveal that high school students focus on local issues and direct action, while college mentors address broader themes with strategic approaches. High school students express youth voice within immediate contexts like family and school, while college mentors engage in academic and professional environments. Despite different developmental stages and challenges, both groups benefit from PeaceJam, enhancing their socio-emotional growth and empowerment, contributing to a more democratic society.

Authors

• Cesar Briones, University of Pittsburgh

• Jeffrey N. Jones, Western Michigan University