extract from Churches Youth Ministries Studies – “How Social Structures Affect Young People”
GOAL: To understand the social issues and political processes that affect young people.
Social Structures
Many of us shy away from the word �structures� when it is raised in the context of justice. Yet it is really quite simple. We choose to organise our society in particular ways. For example: the way we organise our communal resources are economic structures; the way we organise decsion making are our political structures; and the way we organise relationships are our social structures. By looking at the way society is organised we see what its structures are. Structures are not predetermined or inevitable. They have been developed by people and governments who make decisions to organise society in a particular way. They have been different in the past. They can be different in the future if we choose to change them.edited from: Smithies, R and Wilson, H (ed.) Making Choices: Social Justice For Our Times,
Epworth Bookroom, Wellington, July 1993, P31-32 and P57-59
page 2
9) Social structures affect young people in both positive and negative ways. On pages 9-11 of the
resource material you will find a description of the four interconnected social environments which
affect young people both positively and negatively. Discuss with your mentor, how you can help cultivate a positive environment for young people at home, at school, in the community, and among their peers.
10) Read the article titled �Binge Drinking, Youth Suicide Linked to Drug Policy� on page 12 of your resource material.
Write two pages in response to this article Include in your response:
a) your opinion on the links between cannabis prohibition and suicide
b) Your opinion on the impact of lowering the drinking age.
c) How you might engage in conversation about these issues with a youth group of 15-17 year
olds.
and what they read…..
“There is no scientific credibility in the National Drug Double Standard, and it is little wonder the youth of NZ have switched off to the hypocritical messages of politicians”, said Mr Anderson. [page 12]
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