Learning from the Streets

A few years ago I came across the theory of Self Determination (SDT) created by Deci and Ryan, it was in the book ‘Human Being’ by Jocelyn Bryan.

A link to their theory is here: Self Determination Theory

In short they suggest that ‘Conditions supporting the individual’s experience of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are argued to foster the most volitional and high quality forms of motivation and engagement for activities, including enhanced performance, persistence, and creativity‘ or in short; people are most likely to grow and be motivated to want to grow, in environments where there is Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness (and for the sake of ABC… Belonging).

When I encounter people who are receiving my training in my professional role, what is I want them to do, as a result of me facilitating a piece of learning? I want them to grow… this might take the form of helping them to see, to realise, to change something, to act differently… and to do this, and act on it themselves, they will have to have some intrinsic motivation to do it, and a setting in which this will be encouaraged, affirmed, or that they are brave enough to regardless. Through my consultancy work I saw this recently in one group of trustees, who could slowly enact change/growth of their organisation, because they had the relationships together (relatedness) , because they had the choice of what they would do (Autonomy) and because, as they now put these into practice, they have markers and signposts that realistically show them where they have achieved what they set out to (Competence) . (If you would like to book me to lead your organisation into developing growth, please contact me on the details above)

Anyway.

Back to young people and youthwork. Hopefully from what I shared above, you can see a little of what this is all about. But lets relate it to a young person, who, by the way might be constantly told ‘grow up’ , and so ‘growing’ might be what they feel they have to or encouraged to do.

Heres the ABC thing, Autonomy, Belonging , Competence.

Remember that good old ‘Participation Ladder’ of enabling young people to have a role, a place in an organisation, church, or wider society?

(My most read piece on this blog is here: ‘What role do young people have in your church? Where you can read of this more)

Its the one that looks like this:

And… whilst there’s questions of it, the question often not asked is ‘What kind of environment might need to be created where a young person wants to even bother increasing their place on the rung of the said ladder?’

(if its a ladder at all)

The point of this piece is to talk about ABC, but if participation is also what it’s all about and that could be an evidence marker of growth (one of them), then what’s required?

Lets thinks about a few examples.

A young person prefers to go to rugby practice instead of going to church on a Sunday morning? – In terms of their growth (ABC) what’s in it for them at rugby, that isnt in it for them at church? Might being coached, being part of a team, having achievements, even ambition at rugby… far out weigh sitting in a pew, being told off for being noisy and then being scuttled out the back to be shown how to interpret some form of moral behaviour from an ancient text? – where’s the ABC in that?

What about the 9 year old who has been coming to the local messy church group for a few years and is now getting ‘bored’ playing up, disruptive – might the problem be that they have a deep sense of belonging (been there 2 years, got to know everyone) – but because of this they are now under stimulated (no sense of real competence) and also under used (limited autonomy..to choose what they do) – and this is no bashing on messy church by the way… its an example of what might be happening when a young person (or anyone) might be bored…

What about how you might manage a volunteer? ABC again….

So ABC.

When Autonomy (the ability to choose what happens to them)

Belonging (Where there is a relationship, where it is perceived as safe, where there is consistency)

and Competence (where there are reasonable challenges, aspirations, possible achievements, and also feedback on these)

Might be present… this is likely to be the kind of environment where someone is likely to choose to be in, and for them to grow in it.

Where these things (ABC) aren’t present…. we either have to be forced or manipulated to stay in such a space, or not recognise that this is happening. School can be a place for many young people to ‘grow’ but young people are forced to be there legally. We can be paid in jobs where we dont grow, but are paid well. We give up growth for other basic needs (money). (then we find growth spaces outside of our jobs where we choose to be, choirs, sports clubs etc)

I think in the main, we get the relationship/relatedness/Belonging bit pretty well as youth workers.

There’s barely a youth club in the world that wouldn’t talk about ‘developing relatiopnships’ ‘good conversations’ ‘providing a safe space’ or ‘meeting young people where they are at’ – yes we may not realise how important the relationships are, and the increase in awareness of emotional safety, safeguarding, means that this part of ABC is implicitly thought of – not always, and not everywhere… but in the main. But maybe stop and think about ‘what kind of conversations, what kind of ‘relatedness/Belonging’ is being fostered in the group’, the activity, the organisation – are there healthy relationships here, in terms of caring for each other, dealing with conflict, responding to situations, developing skills and abilities, listening well? How might we know that a person feels safe/feels a sense of belonging in the space?

Learning and change might only happen, especially when a person might be anxious, feel threatened, unsafe – when they are in place where they trust the care, and trust the safety being offered. Growth might happen other wise, but in that situation it’s motivated by fear.

But what of the A – Autonomy or the C- Competence?

In what areas are we helping young people to be motivated to grow – because within the relationships- they have choice, the ability to make choice (Autonomy) – and the ability to achieve, little steps, and big steps – to do things well and feel proud of themselves? (Competence)

If you were to look through your youth programme for the term? or the activities for summer camp? or the plan from September… what’s are the ways in which ABC is present, and in ways that the many different young people might be able to grow, given their own personal complexities, dreams and skills?

Would a young person stay in your church/youth club if two of the three were present…. probably… but they would have no intrinsic incentive if none of them were….

Maybe there’s nothing new here, and ABC simply affirms what you already do, or vocalises what happened when a good piece of youth work…worked for someone. I almost guarantee all three of these things would have been present.

And it’s not in youthwork – it’s everywhere.

It’s where we, as adults, choose to be, and choose to stay. It’s evident in all the places where we feel we grow.

In my own personal ‘healing journey’ I can see how all of ABC were factors in my own growth- as I was motivated to change – after sinking so deep from a place of nearly giving up – because I felt trapped, shame, and powerless. (opposites of ABC)

So… we want young people to grow?

How might this be facilitated to happen?

Is it as ‘simple’ as ABC?

References

Human Being by Jocelyn Bryan (2016)

Self determination theory:

Theory

Thank you for reading this piece, more on detached youthwork, faith based youthwork and church are on this site. If you have enjoyed this piece and would like to make a donation towards my work and writing, you can do so at this page here, thank you. Do have a look at the menu above if you would like me to do some work with you to develop your thinking and practice on any aspect of youth and community work, for you or your organisation.