Youth Studies Australia v.15 n.1
March 1996
This issue addresses the subject of civics and citizenship.
Civics and citizenship: Research findings on students' perceptions
of political awareness and the characteristics of a 'good citizen',
by Harry C.J. Phillips & Wally Moroz
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.2 pp.13-19.
Harry C.J. Phillips and Wally Moroz describe the background to
the recent regeneration of interest in citizenship education and
report on their research into Western Australian students' perceptions
of political awareness and the characteristics of a 'good citizen'.
Dilemmas and opportunities for the young, active citizen; and
Citiz-speak: Any advance on Cicero?, by David Owen
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.20-23.
David Owen discusses some of the contradictions that derive from
the nature of citizenship and its active variant and also looks
at the peculiar language of citizenship.
Schools as public institutions: Students & citizenship,
by Marie Brennan
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.24-26.
Marie Brennan questions the current focus on curriculum as a means
of learning about citizenship and suggests that students should
participate actively in "defining the culture and organisation
of the institution of schooling".
What do we mean by student participation?, by Roger Holdsworth
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.26-27.
Roger Holdsworth has been involved in student participation for
many years, most prominently in his role as the editor and publisher
of Connect, the newsletter supporting student participation. Last
year, in his 93rd issue of Connect, Roger reviewed the concept
of student participation.
Whereas the (mostly male?) people - Addressing the gender imbalance
in public life; and Case Study: Activists in school uniform,
by Susan Munter
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.28-31.
Part of the challenge of the development of civics and citizenship
education is to work towards rectifying the historical under-representation
of women in public life. This article and accompanying case study
show that gains are already being made through programs such as
the NSW Schools in Parliament program and through the initiatives
of individual schools like action-oriented St Rita's in Brisbane.
Adulthood: Is it just a question of age?, by Terry Ryall
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.32-33.
While adulthood is not a prerequisite to active citizenship, it
is interesting to look at the range of young people's perceptions
of when that age of ultimate responsibility is reached. From the
UK, Terry Ryall, reports on the findings of her research on young
people's perceptions of the ages and identifiers of adulthood,
and their implications for those working in the youth field. Terry's
article was in response to one by Australian Judith Bessant, writing
in 'Young People Now', about delayed adulthood and the sociological
and economic issues associated with the ability of young people
to take up full citizenship roles.
Leaving the nest, NOT! How young people, with parental support,
are living at home longer, by Bob Ellis
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.34-36.
During the past decade the issue of young people leaving home has
been an emotive theme in public debate and the subject of much
research. The topic features in discussions and explanations of
homeless children, street kids, the underclass and youth crime.
In these debates, however, it is not only young people who are
the topic of discussion - it is also their parents.
Shopping centre development and Youth Consultations, by
Nicole Robins
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.37-38.
In this rare tale about a major new retail and entertainment centre,
Nicole Robins reports on the highly productive results of putting
the horse before the cart - that is, consultation between the developer
and local youth representative organisations in the early planning
stages of the development.
Structural reforms and social implications: The impact of local
government amalgamations on youth work, by Judith Bessant
and Michael Emslie
Youth Studies Australia, v.15 n.1 pp.39-43.
Amalgamation of local government areas has been a trend in several
States over the past few years. In this review of the recent experience
in Victoria, Judith Bessant and Michael Emslie look at the structural
reform process and report on a survey of the effects of amalgamation
on youth work and services. They question both the need for reform
and the benefit to youth workers accruing from the amalgamations.