The purpose of this study is to create a youth group for low-income children living in residential treatment facilities or in foster care situations, a group which will help children to develop social skills, deepen their sense of personal and social responsibility, and build their self-esteem. So that the study may be placed within the context of existing work in the field, this chapter of the proposal presents a review of relevant literature. The review specifically examines the effects of youth groups on student development with an emphasis upon research examining for effects on self-esteem and social skills. Youth Groups: Their Effects
According to Papalia and Olds (1992), children and adolescents with good social/interpersonal skills and high levels of self-confidence and self-esteem tend to succeed as adults. It is they who become leaders in business and industry, who go into politics, and who, in general, contribute to the social order in a way that is both personally satisfying and meaningful to others.
The authors further note that groups such as the 4-H Club and the YMCA have often been touted as providing youths with these attributes and, as a result, helping youngsters to succeed in life. The question can be asked: Is there empirical evidence indicating that membership in a youth group or organization does indeed help to build the self-esteem and social skills of youths? There are studies indicating the veracity of the claim that these groups do help youngsters develop and deepen those qualities that assist with success in life. For example, in a final report to the National Institute of Education, Kleinfeld and Shinkwin (1982) stated that at their best, youth groups and organizations are educational settings were children learn how to be good citizens who contribute to society as a whole. According to the authors, this contribution is made through the fact that these groups teach children not only self-es...