As youth mature, having control over their decisions, bodies, spaces, relationships and self-expression becomes an increasingly important part of their development, the formation of their identities, and their readiness to exist in the world as independent individuals. But as caregivers and mentors, we often fail to recognize early opportunities to sew the seeds of independence in young people. 

In this interactive session, participants will be invited to reflect on their own experiences and to interrogate the ageist assumptions that underpin our interactions with youth. We will seek to answer questions such as: How does fear drive us to exert more control over youth than is necessary, and how can we manage those fears? How can I safely introduce more autonomy into the expectations I set for youth, while providing the tools for them to meet those expectations successfully? How can I access empathy as a resource to build a strong foundation of trust and honesty in my relationships with youth? 

Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the role of ageism in youth work, a range of tools to approach youth work with empathy, respect and trust, and practical, actionable strategies to cultivate responsible independence in the youth they work with.