Article on Youth and Youth Ministry

How Kids Are Changing and What It Means for Youth Workers
An Interview With Chap Clark

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

It’s a familiar saying, but have you ever wondered if it’s true when it comes to the kids you work with? Given the vast changes in youth culture, are kids still fundamentally the same? If they’ve changed, are the changes fairly minor or are they absolutely mega?

Dr. Chapman (“Chap”) Clark, Associate Professor of Youth, Family and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary has recently authored a book, Hurt (Baker Books, 2004), that addresses some of these questions. In order to get beyond the surface, Chap conducted a broad survey of the most recent literature, both secular and faith-based, on adolescents. Not only that, but during his sabbatical from teaching, he spent several months doing “ethnographic” research at a local high school campus as a substitute teacher and at after-school events. The goal was to grasp the worldview of the students by observing, listening, and having conversations with them. In the following interview, Chap describes what he’s seeing in kids and how caring adults should consider responding.

What’s the number one thing you’re seeing in adolescents?

The biggest theme that emerged out of my study, and we’re hearing about in other research studies too, is that institutions that were originally designed for teens have dramatically changed. Now instead of being about caring for kids or what’s best for kids, they’re often more about what’s best for adults and keeping kids busy. I describe this as “systemic abandonment of the young” by the adults who are culturally charged with caring for kids. If kids don’t fit the pre-ordained boxes that adults control, they end up hurt, abused and left behind.

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