Successful youth engagement depends on developing mature, respectful relationships between the generations. This model illustrates a continuum of adult perspectives of youth, starting at apathy and leading to the ideal of solidarity.

Apathy
Apathy occurs when individuals or groups are indifferent towards youth and young adults. Apathy is obvious when an organization involved in civic life or community development doesn’t have outreach specifically for youth and young adults.
Pity
This perspective represents a completely top-down perspective by older adults toward youth and young adults. Pity takes away the ability of youth to change the world by erasing their self-esteem and their sense of urgency and purpose. Pity is apparent when programs present activities to youth and young adults with no consideration of whether they want or need those activities or whether they could provide them for themselves.
Sympathy
Sympathy is apparent when adults give youth what they apparently cannot acquire for themselves. These may be physical things, time or money, offered from a position of compassion. Sympathetic actions may make older adults feel better about themselves, but the process disengages youth from actively creating knowledge or resources. Sympathy is another topdown perspective, positioning adults to give without acknowledging the receipt of anything in return.
Empathy
Reciprocity is at the core of an empathetic perspective of youth, which allows adults to see youth in a more equitable way. Each person acknowledges the other as a partner, and each is invested in the outcomes of the others’ perspective.
Solidarity
Solidarity allows for complete equity, fully recognizing the benefits and challenges in relationships between older adults and youth. Possibilities abound.
Adults can use this model to critically and creatively reflect on their own attitudes, behaviors and perspectives toward youth. As individuals and groups develop the skills and attitudes to achieve solidarity with youth, their efforts and programs will become more successful.
Freechild Institute
Adult Ally Toolkit
- Are YOU An Adult Ally?
- How Youth Become Adult Allies
- Be An Adult Ally to Youth
- Traits of Adult Allies
- Self-Care for Adult Allies to Youth
- Adult Perspectives of Youth
- Youth/Adult Relationships Spectrum
- Introduction to Youth/Adult Partnerships
- Youth/Adult Partnerships Tip Sheet
- Youth and Adults
- Start Anywhere and Go Everywhere
OTHER TOOLKITS: Facing Adultism | Youth Voice | Youth Engagement | Youth Involvement | Youth Mainstreaming | Youth Action | Youth Rights
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