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YDEV 501: Blog Post #9

I'm focusing this reflection on the Critical Reflections on Tensions in Authentic Youth-Adult Partnerships reading, most importantly because of my experience with community-based youth organizations (CBYOs). CBYOs are significant spaces for holistic youth development, most especially because they foster academic, social, and political empowerment (particularly for communities of color).

The three main tensions that the authors explored really resonated with me due to the fact I've experienced them first-hand. 

1. Youth are a socially constructed category. They're often seen through hierarchical lenses that view them as lacking agency, making them feel less than, especially in relationships with adults. I feel as though this mindset hinders genuine partnerships between youth and adults.

2. Youth are seen through a deficit-based lens. This lens definitely constrains their potential to do and become anything, truly. 

3. Youth are affected by funding constraints. These dynamics definitely undermine CBYO missions by enforcing donor-driven priorities over creating and maintain authentic relationships with the communities they're serving; it marginalizes youth voices. Although financial support is important and crucial to the development of an organization, I've witnessed first-hand how it diverts focus from youth-centric programming just to meet funder-imposted conditions. This in itself is a huge detriment to the development of a genuine and authentic mission.

All in all, it's obvious that prioritizing youth-adult partnerships, authentically, will help organizations fulfill their mission in a more equitable and holistic way. As a youth advocate and someone who believes in the development of the communities I serve, it's only right to create pathways to success through authenticity and organic relationship development. I think this is one of the biggest reasons I've been successful in my professional career as a youth worker and mentor. 

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