Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Service (TYMS)
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Board of Trustees
    • Our Team >
      • In Loving Memory
  • What do we do?
    • Academic Mentoring
    • Pacific Youth Transition Services
    • Residential Remand Learning
    • Healthy Relationships Programme
    • Basketball (Polyjammers) >
      • Jammers Academy
    • Polyjam Classic (Fundraiser)
    • Past Programmes >
      • Trade School Program
    • News & Events
  • Our supporters
    • Key Supporters
    • Food Providers
  • Mentor Training
    • Activity Bank
    • Weekly Victories

Pacific Youth Wellbeing - Social

2/12/2016

0 Comments

 

Author: Koleta Savaii
Adolescents are at a transitional stage – from their high dependence on parents and family to a need for autonomy and independence as they progress to adulthood. 

While at this stage the role of the family in the adolescent’s life is secondary to that of the peer group, a close best friend, or a romantic partner, this does not mean family support is no longer needed. 

Adolescent researchers have established that different types of relationships fulfill specific interpersonal needs. For example, in romantic relationships, adolescents learn the social aspects of this type of relationship from their relationships with their parents and close friends (i.e., intimacy, conflict resolution, trust, empathy, and compassion), while the sexual aspects are learned from a dating partner. For healthy youth and consequently healthy adults, we need to ensure that every one of their relationships are healthy, and that they provide positive learning experiences.

The adolescent years are also critical to the formation of one’s identity.  At any point in history we will find that the opportunities available to youth for identity formation differ.  For instance, for the grandparents of today’s youth, cultural exploration was restricted by geographical boundaries and the only cultures available was that of their families, church and communities. With increasing globalisation and the popularity of social media, today’s youth literally have access to thousands of cultures and opportunities for identification at their fingertips.

A multitude of options to choose from can be distressing for any individual.  But this can be especially stressful for adolescents whose brain areas that are responsible for executive function tasks (i.e. self-control, decision making) are not yet fully mature.  This region of the brain is also responsible for a variety of other functions, its a common reservoir. Therefore, when we exercise self-control, we tax this common reservoir. For example, trying to maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, while at the same time controlling the urge to eat unhealthy foods and stay in bed all day is physically taxing on this common reservoir. If it is not replenished (i.e. through positive self-affirmations, glucose consumption), then we are unable to exercise self-control in other areas of our lives (e.g. we procrastinate in our school work, or we over-spend beyond our available finances).

Executive function is like a fuel tank that needs to stay filled. Positive self affirmation is one way of filling up our executive function tank.

Adolescents are therefore at a stage in their lives where they need all the support they can get to keep them on track.  Unfortunately, the availability of adults or other individuals willing to provide help and/or show interest in their problems is very limited.  And this seems unfortunate, when an overview of the literature in this area shows clear links between the quality of adolescents’ supportive relationships with such features as self-esteem, suicidal and delinquent behaviours, emotional illness, and negative emotional states.

The availability of positive social support is important, but this has to be accessible and of value to the individual. For example, in many Pacific families, gaining an education is highly valued. Generations of Pacific families have left their homelands for this very reason. 

For many Pacific parents, their motto is “Education is the key to a good life”.  They wish for their children a life that they couldn’t experience themselves while growing up, so they push for their children to gain an education so that they can get good jobs to have a chance at the good life.  Hence, adults in the community that provide mentoring and academic support is valuable to both Pacific youth and their families.

Social support provided by parents and peers is crucial to the health and wellbeing of young people. This resource will not be utilised, however, if the barriers around access are not addressed. Barriers can include individual personality factors (e.g. low self-esteem), culture (e.g. cultural norms/attitudes around help-seeking), and financial (e.g. transportation costs).  The availability of a valued resource coupled with the removal of barriers to accessing such resource, is key to ensuring young people are making use of the programs available to them within schools and in their communities.

Social support whether it be provided by peers, parents, and members of the community is crucial to the health and wellbeing of young people. Positive adults who show an interest in youth and their problems is sometimes all it takes to keep a young person outside of prison, off the streets, and in school.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Academic Mentoring
    Achievement
    Behaviour
    Brains
    Culture
    Empathy
    Environment
    Evaluation Challenges
    Exclusion
    Family
    Inclusion
    Kindness
    Maths
    Outcomes
    Physical
    Spirituality
    Stories
    Wellbeing
    Youth

    Archives

    June 2018
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016

    RSS Feed

What Our Clients Are Saying

Our Location
Find us at 644 Swanson Road, Swanson, Auckland
“If I can just affirm all the great progress that our boys are showing at school in their confidence, physical health, and their learning. Much of which is attributable to the great work that their mentor is doing."

"TYMS helped me grow as a person. They helped me understand a few things that no one else was willing to help me understand, and help me see through things that no one else could." 

"Watching my son grow in the time that his mentor has been involved with him, aw bro it's been amazing. Without his mentor, my son wouldn't even be this young man that people are now seeing before their eyes. He's not out getting himself into trouble, bullying others, or hurting girls. My son came home one day after his session with the mentor and he said, 'I'm so happy you got me help mum'".

Contact Us 

office@tyms.org.nz
099712746
Picture
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Board of Trustees
    • Our Team >
      • In Loving Memory
  • What do we do?
    • Academic Mentoring
    • Pacific Youth Transition Services
    • Residential Remand Learning
    • Healthy Relationships Programme
    • Basketball (Polyjammers) >
      • Jammers Academy
    • Polyjam Classic (Fundraiser)
    • Past Programmes >
      • Trade School Program
    • News & Events
  • Our supporters
    • Key Supporters
    • Food Providers
  • Mentor Training
    • Activity Bank
    • Weekly Victories