Eyes & Voices to the Future - Juvenile Study in the Cayman Islands
 |
| Where now? |
INTRODUCTION
This qualitative study on the aspirations, visions and dreams of young people in the Cayman Islands is part of several studies that are simultaneously being replicated throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It is one component of an inclusive regional analysis of the situation of Caribbean youth aged 15-29 years of age. The study is being undertaken by the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development.
The Commission on Youth Development, through a directive by the CARICOM Heads of Government, was charged to explore and analyze the perceptions of young people concerning their challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, based on the findings of the study, the Commission was to provide recommendations to alleviate identified detrimental factors and also to empower young people in the CARICOM Single Market Economy (“CSME”).
The construction of a self-actualizing environment for young people in the CSME entails the acquisition of direct knowledge from those to be affected by such an end. The research methodology mandates the employ of "verbatim" language in the data collection. Young people, often considered marginalized and voiceless in quintessence, are encouraged in this study to articulate their views and perceptions on a spectrum of contemporary issues.
These perceptions are their reality; and the failure to gather, investigate and incorporate them in policy and program development and implementation delimits the opportunity to successfully adapt interventions created to address the needs and risks as experienced and advocated by the young people.
The young persons’ perceptions are therefore critical to the empowerment process and long term sustainable social and economic development. Inherent in the study design is the cognizance that young people are not indistinguishable. Assuming that the youth verbalize in unison, contributes to the quandary correlated with ‘one size fits all’ solutions. As a result, sundry focus groups are used. These cohorts enable the different views of young people to be gleaned. The socialization processes, age, gender, current state of affairs, and geographic location all contribute to a variance in their perceptions and aspirations. The voices of the unemployed, incarcerated, institutionalized, young parent, high school student, organized youth, and urban and rural youth are several of the varying voices heard.
Comments
Post a Comment