An Empowering Approach to Working with Young People.

Abstract

This paper addresses the question - how can young people, from a starting point of powerlessness, become empowered? It is argued that the immediate future for many young people will be the experience of injustice, impoverishment and inequality. Paradoxically, this experience can also be the starting point for change at a personal and political level. Youth workers can assist a movement from powerlessness to empowerment in these circumstances of austerity. Perspectives on empowerment that facilitate this process are identified alongside a case study of this practice.