I've been asked to talk to a group of teens - twelve to sixteen year olds - about homelessness. All the talks I've given up to this point have been to old folks, at least of college age. I have advised other youth group leaders, but I've not done the talking myself. And so I've been wondering how best to go about explaining to young people the very adult situation of homelessness. Of course I must be more gentle about it, but I also don't want to sugar coat things, or give them any untrue or misleading ideas, either. If you have any ideas of how to go about this, please add it to the comment section here.
They will probably have questions to ask you. As a much younger child I saw men sleeping on cardboard or over subway grates when we visited New York city. No one mentioned the men or the word "homeless". Hobo's would have been a more common term to apply to people with no permanent residence.
ReplyDeleteToday's teens are more advanced. Most likely they have seen homeless people in Nashville and perhaps parents have told them stereotypical things.
I think you will do well speaking to them. On your blog you tend to stay G-rated. San Diego had many homeless teens; TV, movies, even cartoons often feature a homeless person.
But you could begin by asking them if they know what "homeless" means or if they have ever talked to a street dweller and go from there.
Kevin, I think it's great that you'll be talking to them! I agree with alyceclover that many teens have at least seen someone on the street but many teens have so many misconceptions about homelessness and homeless people. I think a good place to start would be to address some of the myths and stereotypes and to reinforce what you're saying with stories from your life.
ReplyDeleteMolly
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteAs a mother who saw her sons through their teen years as well as their friends, I can tell you that it would be best to be real. Be your self and talk to them the same way you talk to college students. They will know that you are being honest and respecting their intelligence. Teens know instantly when someone is softening the realities and it ticks them off. If you don't talk straight to them, they will not respect you in return and tune you out. What you have to say to them is too important to risk alienating them. You will do well. Peace
I agree with all of the comments thus far.
ReplyDeleteAsk questions--hard questions. Be honest and forthright, and in my experience teaching 15-18-year-olds in the classroom you get honest comments and smart questions in return (maybe Molly get back me up on this since she was in several of my classes!).
If the teens to whom you will be talking are particularly privileged, it may be helpful to talk to them about privilege in the context of the rich young ruler.
Another way to think about it: what are 3 or 4 key points about homelessness you would want to communicate in 1 blogpost? (This may be an fascinating and important thing to do--if you are interested--on one of my class blogs.)
Another thought is to tell them about homeless teens you know.
Anyway, my two cents.