316565
“How Can You Call Us Losers If You Didn't Give Us a Fair Chance?”: An Evaluation of Perceived Opportunity in Urban Neighborhoods by Teenage Youth
Methods: This study used an ethnographic qualitative approach to explore the relationship that 10 youth from a Midwestern city developed with their neighborhoods through the use of photo elicitation. Participants ranged from 7th-12th grade, and were recruited from a nonprofit organization within the city. Over four-weeks, participants were provided with disposal cameras, and were responsible for taking pictures within their neighborhoods, journaling their experiences, and participating in two focus group interviews.
Findings: Findings suggest that photo elicitation provides teenage youth with an effective opportunity to present counter-narratives, demonstrating their agency. Specifically, this study finds that while participants acknowledge the negative characteristics (i.e. violence, crime, decreased school quality) that exist within their neighborhoods, they do not allow these negative factors to limit their aspirations for successful life outcomes. These youth have discovered ways to navigate their neighborhood structures, including aligning themselves with peers who have similar goals, participating in enriching after-school programs, and carefully selecting schools in order to ensure their academic, social, and psychological wellness.
Implications: Teenage youth who maintain positive perceived opportunity (e.g. those who create attainable goals, establish hope in their future outcomes, and maintain self-efficacy) are most likely to be academically successfully, demonstrating normal psychosocial development.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and cultureSocial and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify the positive characteristics within low socioeconomic status neighborhoods that contribute to the healthy development of urban Black youth.
Discuss the importance of maintaining positive perceived future opportunity for the psychosocial well-being of low socioeconomic status urban Black youth.
Keyword(s): Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Well-Being
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a background in both clinical practice and research experience in regards to my work with youth living in low SES neighborhoods. My individual interests are in exploring the role caregivers play on the academic aspirations of Black youth in urban neighborhoods. Specifically, my research has focused on examining the social and cultural factors that contribute to the academic, social, and psychological development of Black youth living in low socioeconomic status neighborhoods.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.