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Winter 2008 - Vol. 3 No. 3 - National Association of Extension 4-H ...

Winter 2008 - Vol. 3 No. 3 - National Association of Extension 4-H ...

Winter 2008 - Vol. 3 No. 3 - National Association of Extension 4-H ...

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<strong>Vol</strong>ume 3, Number 3, <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2008</strong>Article 080303FA007Perceived Effectiveness <strong>of</strong> Youth-AdultPartnerships on Enhancing Life SkillDevelopment through 4-HJeff Sallee and Charles CoxOklahoma State UniversityAbstract: The purpose <strong>of</strong> this study was to determine if youth andadult participants in the 4-H Environmental Impact program perceiveyouth-adult partnerships as an effective means to enhance the youths’development <strong>of</strong> life skills. The study further sought to discover theperceived obstacles that may keep youth and adults from participatingin equal partnerships. The life skills <strong>of</strong>: Leadership, Cooperation, ServiceLearning, and Planning and organizing were enhanced through theyouths’ participation in the youth-adult partnership. Through thisresearch there was evidence that many <strong>of</strong> the youth participants didperceive themselves as equal team members when participating in thisyouth-adult partnership. The research indicated the greatest perceivedobstacle that kept youth from engaging was not much time afterhomework and other activities. It is recommended that all participantsin newly formed youth-adult partnerships receive training on how toimplement this type <strong>of</strong> program, and how to participate equally.IntroductionLeadership development has been, and continues to be a major goal <strong>of</strong> the 4-H YouthDevelopment program. As the world enters the 21st century, many youth programs, including4-H, are focusing on the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> their leadership training (Seevers, 1995). A historicalapproach to teaching leadership to 4-H youth has been through life skill development. Life skillshave been defined as the abilities that are useful for living everyday life. They include thinking,doing and feeling skills. The overall purpose <strong>of</strong> the life skills approach to leadership training wasthe development <strong>of</strong> skills necessary to perform leadership functions in real life (Miller, 1976).

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