Section 1.2:   Understanding the young persons situation from their perspective

Communication is an incredibly complicated process. So complicated in fact, it could be said that it is close to a miracle that ever happens well! There are so many factors that all too easily become noise and distort the communication process.

Perhaps the greatest factors that inhibit our ability to understand the young person from their perspective, are internal to us the worker. Our values attitudes and assumptions too often get in the way of us really understanding what life is like for a young person.

Having explored the role of communication in our work with young people it is timely to think about the impact of our own values and attitudes on our work. How do we ensure that we work with young people in a non-judgemental and professional way in which their rights and needs are respected?

The impact of values

Managing your values 

Following are some suggestions for managing our own values:

• ask for feedback constantly
• avoid unilateral decisions
• consult co-workers, including those who think differently
• supervision
• be open to challenge and debate
• consult cultural groups, special interest and advocacy groups
• constantly reappraise values
• self-monitor reactions to young people and situations
• take responsibility to name the conflict
• acknowledge and respect everyone’s right to their values and attitudes
• agreeing with, and implementing, the philosophy of the service
• using our authority appropriately and positively.

The Impact of Assumptions

Making assumptions in everyday interactions is the way that we sort information about people quickly. We use criteria such as age, previous experience, similar interests, language, education, etc.

Assumptions are based on our values and these vary significantly from one person to the next We often assume if people are like us they will have similar values (The exercise will have demonstrated that often this is not the case). Often judgments are attached to these assumptions/ impressions – like us: superior; not like us: inferior.

There is a difference between making assumptions and making hypotheses.

• Hypotheses are propositions that we use as a basis for gathering further information which then support or disqualifies our hypotheses.
• Assumptions are often taken-for-granted ‘truths’.

Often if you don’t challenge your own assumptions you regard them as fact and you respond to people accordingly. In crises or hurried situations we are likely to slip more into our value and attitude base.