[et_pb_section][et_pb_row make_fullwidth="off" use_custom_width="off" width_unit="on" use_custom_gutter="off" padding_mobile="off" allow_player_pause="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" make_equal="off" padding_top_1="40" padding_bottom_1="20"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" background_layout="light" text_orientation="center" text_font_size="52" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" custom_padding="10||10|" text_text_color="#666666"]<strong>The Student Body Culture</strong>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Content" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" custom_padding="20||20|"]<p>The <a href="[permalink id=364]" target="_blank" title="">worldview of today's youth</a> has dramatically shifted. Youth organizations can no longer overlook the culture of their student body.  The mindset shift means that today’s youth will be more influenced by the nature, experience and authenticity of fellow students than the information and programs that seek to make a difference in their life.</p>

<p>In our research, YTN found that the <a href="[permalink id=355]" target="_blank" title="">dual life</a> culture, which is so prevalent among youth today, can undermine everything we attempt to accomplish in young peoples’ lives.  When youth come and listen to our information and programs, but find them subverted by the dual life of a majority of the participating youth, the culture of the student body can counter our efforts. The dual life culture can harm academic motivation in two primary ways:</p>

<p>1. The activities youth become involved with through the influence of older students who are a part of the dual life culture become distractions or worse direct hindrances to academic achievement.</p>

<p>2. If the dual life culture directly assaults academic achievement, it can be especially destructive to the desire and effort placed on academic achievement with post-modern youth.</p>

<p>When youth were modern in mindset the culture of the group had far less impact on motivation. Today with their priority on experience, community and authenticity, the impact of the student culture is far greater. However, there is some good news. Through YTN’s research and work to improve the student culture of groups, we have found a vast majority of youth disapprove of the dual life culture in their organizations even though they may be participating in order  to have the community they value.  They find the dual life inconsistent with their desire for authenticity as well as frustrating because it often leads to hurt within the community.  Due to the unwritten code of silence and the gulf that exists between youth and adults today, many youth believe there is no safe way to address the frustrating reality of the student culture in their group.</p>

<p>YTN's <a href="#" target="_blank" title="">Reboot</a> program offers students the opportunity to not just address the culture but to redefine the culture of their group.  This occurs  through an interactive Socratic method,  helping them identify what they truly desire for their group.</p>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]