Empowering environments

Intervention with adolescents and young people at risk of exclusion

The education of adolescents who leave school prematurely provokes different opinions, but many of them tend to highlight their inability to learn and their social incompetence; it is a hasty judgment that hides a more complex reality.

From close knowledge and work with educational teams that work with this population, this book in based on the fact that young people at risk of exclusion are not unable to learn or live in community and values the impact that the environment has on comprehensive development of people.

This book addresses the need for an education aimed at mobilizing capacities that have not been sufficiently developed in adolescents from disadvantaged environments and an intervention proposal is made, structured in five basic capacities, referring to which the following are introduced: theoretical contributions, ethnographic stories, didactic methodologies and activity proposals.

The resources that this book presents have been put into practice in socio-educational institutions that address, from respect and hope, the training of those boys and girls who have failed at school.

Xus Martín is a professor at the Faculty of Education at the University of Barcelona and a member of the GREM (Research Group on Moral Education). She is an expert in values education, service learning and adolescents at risk of exclusion, topics about which she has published many studies.

María López-Dóriga is a pedagogue and works at the Adsis Foundation as coordinator of socio-educational projects for young people who have left the school system. She collaborates with the Research Group in Moral Education of the University of Barcelona, in projects related to vulnerable adolescents.

1. Underprivileged adolescents and youth

Circumstances, contexts and vulnerable families that constrain and segregate. Three educators who share his endless trust in people: Juan Bosco, Makarenko and Deligny.

2. An intervention aimed at developing capacities

Development and interdependence of some capacities, in situations of social disadvantage.

3. Ability to know oneself

Connecting with one’s self and becoming aware of one’s self. Standing up to fate. Proposals, exercises and activities that encourage self-knowledge.

4. Ability to establish personal relationships

Frail relationships. Acceptance, recognition. Acceptance and respect. Proposals, dynamics, exercises and activities that foster relationships.

5. Ability to feel included, to feel a member of a group

Segregation and feeling of loneliness in isolated environments. Regulatory function of the group. Relationships among peers based on care.

6. Ability to bond socially

Being part of the public space. Development of sociability. Proposals to link to the community. Discovering the environment; learning and service.

7. Ability to train and emancipate

Looking forward. Proposals, dynamics, exercises for training and emancipation, placement workshops and internships in companies.