Community Youth Legal Research

Author: Luo Guozhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: "The 'Engineering Community Youth Affairs Research Series for Tomorrow'" is the first to conduct in-depth research on the community youth group and community youth social work from multiple perspectives such as sociology, social work, psychology, education, law, and an international perspective. It is a series of books on localized community youth social work theory and methods in China that emerged from the Shanghai theoretical community's close integration with Shanghai's practical work and exploration. It is also the latest theoretical achievement of the Shanghai theoretical community in conducting comprehensive and systematic research on community youth social work both domestically and internationally. The series consists of seven books: Community Youth Social Work Research, Community Youth Legal Research, Community Youth Psychological Research, Community Youth Education and Employment Work Research, Community Youth Social Work Methods and Skills Research, International Comparative Research on Community Youth Social Work, and The Shanghai Community Youth Work Blue Book (2003–2005), among others.
From the many factors that directly affect and constrain the growth of contemporary youth, leading to the emergence of the community youth group, especially the various problems within this group, it reflects insufficient societal concern for the physical and mental health of community youth, inadequate research on the severe issues reflected by community youth during social development, insufficient investment in the growth environment and conditions they need, and the need for further improvement in policies and measures to address the difficulties and challenges they face. All of these contribute to community youth becoming members of the socially marginalized group.
The term "marginalized" generally has at least three meanings: First, their current living conditions are highly unfavorable. In a more practical sense, this refers to their state of material poverty. Second, they are at a disadvantage in market competition. Third, they are often also at a disadvantage in social and political spheres. The socially marginalized (also referred to as the marginalized group) refers to members of society who, due to various reasons, are in difficult and unfavorable circumstances in terms of income, social status, rights protection, and competitiveness. They are in an unfavorable situation in the distribution of social rights and interests, and this unfavorable situation is often closely related to their physical condition, gender, family environment, and social roles. To a large extent, these are predetermined factors that they cannot choose.
In terms of the overall classification of society, youth as a whole are a marginalized group that requires special protection from adult society, the government, and social organizations. From the perspective of human development stages, youth are immature, in the process of development, and in need of special assistance.
We often say that the younger generation is the marginalized of society. In fact, community youth, as a part of the youth group, are very special compared to other youth. Compared to them, their status of being out of school and unemployed exacerbates their marginalized position, making them the "marginalized of the marginalized" and even more in need of social support and protection.
Income. The majority of families of community youth are not only not well-off but can even be considered relatively poor. Their current state of being out of school and unemployed determines their lack of a relatively strong economic position, making it obvious that their economic status is lower than that of their peers with jobs. A survey in Shanghai found that many community youth have only a hundred or even dozens of yuan to spend each month, a figure significantly lower than that of their peers. Adding to this, many community youth frequently visit various cultural and entertainment venues, and some even date, highlighting the contradiction between their economic situation and expenses, which in turn leads to other social problems.
Social Status. Community youth, who are economically disadvantaged and living in hardship, occupy a low position in all social strata, making it difficult for them to voice their opinions or influence social policies and affairs. At the same time, facing their own survival crisis, their life goals are often limited to meeting basic physiological and safety needs, leaving them unable to pursue higher-level needs such as respect and self-actualization. Long-term preoccupation with livelihoods leaves little room for self-improvement and development, making it hard for them to actively and effectively participate in social affairs, thereby increasing their dependence on the government and society. Moreover, for a long time, this group has been labeled "idle youth," leading to various forms of discrimination and prejudice, with people viewing them with suspicion, pushing them further to the fringes of society.
Rights Protection. Due to the existing biases and discrimination rooted in traditional concepts, the equal opportunities, personal respect, and legitimate rights that community youth should enjoy are often violated. It is even more difficult for them to participate in political life. What is particularly unbearable for community youth is that due to their "no-man's-land" status, their connection with society is weak, and with their own limited strength, they often face a situation where they have no one to turn to when their rights are violated. This already abnormal mindset further develops, often leading to a sense of hopelessness and the inclination toward extreme behavior.
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