The 21st Century has experienced an immense youth bulge, meaning persons in transition from childhood to adulthood now constitute the largest interest group in most nations. In addition to this, youth face numerous challenges which governments are failing to find solutions for. Most prominent among the challenges are lack of employment opportunities, poor education and skills development, limited availability of social amenities and facilities such as recreational parks. The definition of youth varies from one state or society to another. In addition, various international conventions have defined youth differently. This paper traces the youth concept taking into consideration age, transition, categories and how international conventions articulated it. A broad range of sources of literature were used to develop this paper. Having a clear explanation of youth is likely to help develop policies for eradicating the challenges that modern day youth face and also effectively implement them.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Defining youth: from a global to a South African perspective
- Given the above highlighted contestations of the definition of youth, South Africa as a nation has its own definition.
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to discuss the challenges and expectations of youth in South Africa to inform initiatives promoting youth development, shift social perceptions of their role, provide access to influence, and create a national intervention program. The study explores the complexities of defining "youth," considering age, transition, and cultural variations, and examines the concept of "youth bulge" and its implications. It also analyzes the challenges and opportunities facing South African youth.
- Defining "youth" across cultures and international conventions.
- The concept of "youth bulge" and its societal impact.
- Challenges faced by South African youth (e.g., unemployment, education, access to resources).
- Opportunities and expectations of youth in South Africa.
- The role of youth in societal development and change.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the significant global "youth bulge" and the numerous challenges faced by young people worldwide, including unemployment, poor education, and limited access to social amenities. It emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of the youth concept to effectively develop and implement policies aimed at addressing these challenges. The chapter introduces the paper's objective to analyze the complexities of defining youth and understanding the unique challenges and expectations within the South African context.
Defining youth: from a global to a South African perspective: This chapter delves into the complexities of defining "youth," exploring various perspectives. It examines how different international conventions and organizations (UNICEF, UNCRC, African Youth Charter) define youth, highlighting inconsistencies in age ranges. The chapter contrasts these global definitions with the South African context, where the definition is influenced by social roles, traditional practices, and gender dynamics. It also discusses the implications of these varying definitions for understanding youth challenges and opportunities.
Given the above highlighted contestations of the definition of youth, South Africa as a nation has its own definition.: This chapter focuses on the South African definition of youth, highlighting the significant portion of the population (39%) within the 14-35 age range. It discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by this demographic, emphasizing the government's recognition of youth as a vital resource for national development. The chapter also addresses the inconsistencies in age ranges across various South African policies and the need for harmonization. The chapter concludes by adopting the South African definition of youth (14-35 years) for the remainder of the paper.
Keywords
Youth, youth bulge, youth definition, South Africa, challenges, expectations, opportunities, demographic dividend, social development, policy, globalization.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper analyzing the challenges and expectations of youth in South Africa. It explores the complexities of defining "youth," examines the concept of "youth bulge," and discusses the opportunities and challenges facing young people in the South African context. The preview includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include defining "youth" across cultures and international conventions; the concept of "youth bulge" and its societal impact; challenges faced by South African youth (unemployment, education, access to resources); opportunities and expectations of youth in South Africa; and the role of youth in societal development and change.
How does the paper define "youth"?
The paper initially explores the complexities of defining "youth" from both global and South African perspectives, highlighting inconsistencies in age ranges across different international conventions and organizations. It then adopts the South African definition of youth (ages 14-35) for the remainder of the analysis, acknowledging that this definition is influenced by social roles, traditional practices, and gender dynamics within the South African context.
What is the "youth bulge," and what are its implications?
The "youth bulge" refers to a large proportion of the population falling within the youth age bracket. The paper examines the implications of this demographic shift in South Africa, highlighting both the opportunities (demographic dividend) and challenges (e.g., unemployment, strain on resources) associated with a significant youth population.
What are some of the challenges facing South African youth?
The document highlights several challenges faced by South African youth, including unemployment, limited access to quality education and resources, and the complexities of navigating a diverse and often challenging social landscape. These challenges are discussed in relation to the broader context of defining youth and understanding their role in society.
What are the objectives of this research?
The paper aims to discuss the challenges and expectations of youth in South Africa to inform initiatives promoting youth development, shift social perceptions of their role, provide access to influence, and create a national intervention program. The study intends to provide a detailed and nuanced understanding of the South African youth experience.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction, a chapter defining youth from global and South African perspectives, and a chapter focusing specifically on the South African definition of youth (ages 14-35). Each summary provides a concise overview of the key points and arguments presented in each chapter.
What keywords are associated with this research?
Keywords include: Youth, youth bulge, youth definition, South Africa, challenges, expectations, opportunities, demographic dividend, social development, policy, and globalization.
- Citar trabajo
- F. Chiyemura (Autor), J. Francis (Autor), 2012, Reconceptualization of the youth concept in South Africa through improved understanding of contemporary challenges and expectations, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/201037
