Empowering Belizean Youth through Photovoice

Today's youth are faced with a number of different "roadblocks" on their way to becoming successful adults. Navigating adolescence is often difficult in its own right, but many youths have to deal with issues such as, poverty, unsafe neighborhoods and schools, drug/alcohol addiction, and disjointed homes to name a few. Although not all youth are faced with the same obstacles, these abovementioned obstacles can detract youth from becoming socially productive. Using Photovoice, a process by which participants identify, represent and enhance their community using a specific photographic technique, this study connected Belizean youth to their community through the process of identifying and taking photos of community strengths and weaknesses. After completing shared data analysis, the photos and a description of the meanings behind the photos were presented to a number of dignitaries in the community. The main themes presented were Responsibility and Support. This presentation gave youths voice in their community and allowed them to discuss strategies on how to increase community strengths as a way to reduce community weaknesses. Upon completion of the presentation, the dignitaries answered questions posed by the youth and offered collaborative strategies on how to promote social change. Keywords: Photovoice, Empowerment, Youth The National Youth Development Policy of Belize (2012) indicates that the Belizean youthful population (70% of the population is below the age of 29) is doing well. However, there are a number of barriers youth face in developing into social, productive adults. For instance, there are a number of challenges that prevent youth from reaching their optimal well-being. More specifically, Belizean youth claim that adults only see them as problems to be fixed rather than resources to be nourished. In an attempt to remedy this situation, the Belizean government is committed to ensuring young people are empowered, thus increasing their likelihood of reaching their full potential and optimal well-being. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement a variety of positive youth development programs to increase youth voice and overall development. Positive youth development programs should be designed to contribute to the overall healthy development of youth. According to the Handbook of Applied Developmental Science (2003) the basic needs critical to all young people's survival and healthy development include: a sense of safety and structure; belonging and membership; self-worth and an ability to contribute; independence and control over one's life; closeness and several good relationships; and competency and mastery. While this handbook refers to youth in general, it does align with the National Youth Development Policy of Belize (2012) in the sense that both believe youth need opportunities for empowerment. Further, both encourage adults to view youth as assets to be nourished rather than problems to be solved. One goal of this research project, and in line with recommendations from the National Youth Development Policy of Belize (2012), was to empower youth; that is, provide them with a platform to have their voices heard in their community by connecting them with the ears of people in positions of power who can assist them with identified issues. While many youths are learning to function peacefully and responsibly, many are still learning negative, habit forming, life altering behaviors that may prevent them from achieving great success in society. Regardless of their life circumstances, all youth need ample opportunities for supervised growth promoting activities both inside and outside of school (Stiehl & Galvan, 2005). Photovoice is a participatory research method that was developed to promote empowerment and provide marginalized individuals with a platform to be heard in their own communities. According to Wang & Burris (1997) Photovoice is a technique or process by which individuals can identify, represent and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique. …