Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America-2

.docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

445

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by GeneralMooseMaster948

1 Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America Dillen Render Humanities and Social Sciences Dept.: Grand Canyon University JUS-445: J ustice Problem Analysis December 17, 2023 Professor Eric Luthi

2 Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America A program with a mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged children is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In their communities, schools, and other settings, mentors from this program assist kids from all over the US. Research on the effects of mentorship programs on mentees has shown that these initiatives are successful. The group's primary objective is to facilitate the establishment of mentorship relationships amongst young people. After 18 months, the data showed that compared to a control group, kids who participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) mentoring programs had a 54% lower likelihood of having been arrested and a 41% lower likelihood of having used substances (Impact Report, 2020). These kids might have taken a different turn after these 18 months if they hadn't had mentors. The BBBS has accomplished its mission of providing global youth groups with a personalized support system. This idea of a one- on-one mentorship is fantastic since it allows the youngster to feel like they are receiving individual attention. That one responsible adult will become their rock, someone they can always rely on to be there for them. When young people have adults they can look up to, they may be more likely to desire to return the favor in the future. Troubled adolescents are effectively guided and kept out of trouble by this approach. Young people, particularly those who lack the necessary support at home, might benefit much from having a mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters, like any other program, may have both good and bad intentions. There was a study with a control group and a treatment group. People in the experimental group were mentored, while those in the control group were not. These groups were observed for fifteen minutes each. By its conclusion, those who participated in the therapy group reported

3 higher rates of having an impactful adult in their lives, had more favorable views of their academic ability, and fared better academically. Since the control group did not receive a mentor, they lacked the characteristics exhibited by the treatment group. Nevertheless, there was no discernible increase in rates of problem conduct, school effort, global self-worth, connections with educators, parents, or peers. Neither were the gains made in the first year of school carried over into the second (Youth Mentoring, n.d). Researchers may have been surprised to see that even after participating in the program, people in the treatment group continued to struggle with these issues. Teens in the therapy groups also failed to maintain the gains they had made in school once the trial ended. This can be because they lost contact with their mentor, who had been a source of encouragement and support throughout the study, and thus no longer felt the need to perform well academically. In this study, the BBBS had a short-term impact on kids, but no long-term effect. This demonstrates the importance of continuity and stability for young people; when young people are assigned a mentor, they will anticipate that mentor's unwavering support for as long as they require it, rather than expecting it for a certain period of time. Many lessons can be gleaned from the BBBSA's success in designing future programs to reduce crime. “Youth are empowered and communities are strengthened through one-to-one relationships between Bigs and Littles” ( Positive youth development , n.d). If this program's one- on-one approach is successful, then other programs aiming to reduce crime should follow suit. When young people realize they can rely on someone and that they are being paid attention to, it can greatly enhance their chances of succeeding in life. When they feel overwhelmed by worries, uncertainties, or inquiries, they will have someone to talk to. Support is given to these problematic youth by the BBBS. Programs designed to reduce crime in the future must take care not to make these young people feel bad about themselves. They require direction so that they

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help