Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / davinci
We’re very lucky working in parks and recreation because most of what we do with young people is focused on building skills, character, and sportsmanship, and just having fun. That said, an unfortunate byproduct of the times we live in is that events in the world can adversely impact the youth we serve. Too frequently, the news is dominated by stories of violence, political divisions, and inequalities. Whether local, national, or international, these issues are in the thoughts of youth and can become topics of conversations during programs and events. Determining how we engage young people in conversations about what is in the news matters in how they view themselves, their safety, and other members of the community.
I regularly hear park and rec professionals at all levels say something like, “I’m not comfortable talking about issues of race” or “I don’t know what to say about X.” Adults invest significant time and energy building positive relationships with children and adolescents, and young people want to know what we think. At the same time, we must tread lightly when sharing personal thoughts or opinions that may contradict the views of parents or other members of an organization. With this in mind, here are some ideas to think about and discuss with staff members in an effort to better prepare for handling weighty discussions.
Safety First
Every organization should have plans, procedures, and safeguards in place to protect the physical safety and well-being of participants and staff members. I also include the emotional and professional safety of everyone involved. While I would argue that steadfastly refusing to acknowledge or discuss issues that youth bring up is not the best strategy, at times simply saying, “That’s a great question to talk to your parents about” or “That’s not something I’m comfortable talking about” is absolutely the correct and only answer. If you or your staff members are not confident you can remain professional, not become overly emotional, or your personal beliefs run counter to the goals/mission of the organization, then remaining silent about a topic is the only acceptable choice.