AYIN

‘First Monday’ and keeping up with Web 2.0

‘First Monday’ is an interesting online journal about the e-world that has been around for some years now. It recently adopted the Open Journal System and is a little less pretty than it used to be, but for keeping up with Web 2.0 initiatives, it is well worth bookmarking.

Every now and then, it mentions something youth-related. A recent issue features an article on social networking sites. ‘Examining social media usage: Technology clusters and social network site membership’, by Andrew Schrock can be found at: ‘First Monday’, v.14, n.1-5 January 2009.

There is always the unexpected in ‘First Monday. For instance, its February edition includes an article on the impoverishment of our language. In ‘Wordlings in a Web 2.0 world’ (’First Monday’, v.14, n.2-2, February 2009, http://www.uic.edu/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/viewArticle/2320/2094) the use of managerial English in our public language is taken to task by its Australian author. “While English spreads across the globe, the language itself is shrinking. Vast numbers of new words enter it every year, but our children’s and leaders’ vocabularies are getting smaller.” Carolyne Lee a Lecturer in the Media and Communications Program at the University of Melbourne, where she researches and teaches media writing, and rhetoric. Her latest book is ‘Word bytes: Writing in the information society’, due to be published by Melbourne University Publishing in July 2009.

Tags: Technology // Add Comment »

Released in late 2008: The impact of the global financial crisis on social services in Australia, an issues paper prepared by Access Economics for Anglicare Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, The Salvation Army and UnitingCare Australia. These networks deliver most of Australia’s non-government social services, dealing with more than four million Australians each year. The PDF version of the report can be found at: the Salvation Army website

Tags: Social policy, Welfare, Welfare policy // Add Comment »

We need to make sure anti-drug education is helping young people cope with the issue, not just frightening them, says Toby Hall, CEO of Mission Australia.

In late December, reflecting on Mission Australia’s survey of 11- to 24-year-olds, Toby Hall, CEO of Mission Australia commented that:

“While body image, drugs and family conflict are the biggest worries for 11- to 24-year-olds - with one-in-four regarding each as of major concern - it’s drugs that are increasingly weighing on their minds. Concern about drugs was not a top-three issue in 2007.

“The increase in worry was most notable among the 11-to-14 age group, who were twice as likely as 20- to 24-year-olds to identify it as a major issue. So what does this mean? Well, the first point to make is that concern about drugs among this age group doesn’t equate to usage.

“Younger teens’ concerns are related to the potential for drugs to harm others - and whether they will be able to resist peer pressure to experiment. What it tells us is that perhaps our anti-drug education campaigns need re-evaluating.

“From our survey, we know that concern about drugs drops significantly among older teens while other evidence shows illicit drug use goes up. Close to 19 per cent of 16- to 17-year-olds have tried illegal drugs, and 23.4 per cent of 18- to 19-year-olds.

“It seems our efforts to create anti-drug awareness among younger teens are generating plenty of worry but are not necessarily equipping them with the skills to resist drugs when they’re older.”

“Scare tactics aren’t enough to change behaviour long-term. Worse, scare tactics can glamorise dangerous behaviour. We need to make sure anti-drug education is helping young people cope with the issue - not just frightening them.

Read the full text of Toby Hall’s comment on the Mission Australia survey at: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/news/media-releases/923-the-big-issues-facing-our-kids

Tags: Drugs // Add Comment »

The AYIN blog and news feed is an (unfunded) service of the Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies (ACYS), and is still in demonstration mode until it finds a sponsor.

Comments about the AYIN blog and rss feed are welcomed and should be directed to its administrator at ACYS: information@acys.utas.edu.au

Tags: Latest news // Add Comment »

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) conference on ‘Transforming Australia for our children’s future: Making prevention work’ will be held on 2 to 4 September 2009 in Melbourne. Details at:
http://www.aracyconference.org.au

Tags: Latest news, Calls for papers, News items, Research // Add Comment »

The Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies has an online events calendar for news about conferences, seminars and workshops of interest to those working in the youth sector. Please submit your conference news either via the ACYS website, or via the AYIN blog at http://www.australian-youth.info

Tags: Latest news // Add Comment »

Call for papers: Australian Indigenous Law Review, v.13, 2009

The Australian Indigenous Law Review flags current issues in Australian law and policy, as well as developments affecting Indigenous peoples around the world. For 2009, the AILR invites submissions of commentary articles (5,000 to 15,000 words). There are two deadlines for submission: 2 February 2009 and 1 June 2009. Submissions should be in WORD format and emailed to the editor at ailr@unsw.edu.au.

Tags: Latest news, Indigenous youth, Research // Add Comment »

Making a difference: Responding to need in developing, implementing and evaluating correctional programs

Deadline for abstracts: 23 January 2009 National

There will be a strong emphasis on evidence based outcomes of correctional programs and improving reintegration/re-entry strategies. Key themes of the conference will be the rehabilitative needs of Indigenous offenders and young people, with a focus on developing programs, services and evaluation methodologies that incorporate content and techniques specific to the needs of Indigenous offenders. See the Australian Institute of Criminology website, at: http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/corrections/index.html
(Source: Australian Policy Online, events section, http://www.apo.org.au)

Tags: Latest news, Crime and justice // Add Comment »

The internet website, Yahoo! has a page devoted to coverage of World Youth Day and all its activities. See:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/fc/-/fc/4774366/world-youth-day

Tags: Latest news // Add Comment »

Binge drinking: It’s not just the kids

This is the title of a short opinion piece published online on the InfoXchange Youth news weblog by Patrick Stafford (http://www.youth.infoxchange.net.au/news/detail.chtml?filename_num=221502)

In his article, Patrick Stafford explores the question, “Is ‘binge drinking’ as big a problem as the press and government makes it out to be?” and comes to the conclusion that it is, and that the onus for solving this problem rests not on the shoulders of youth alone, but on every Australian to address problem drinking within Australian society.

Stafford points out that the term ‘binge drinking’ is not very clearly defined even by the National Health and Medical Research Council, who, in the opening paragraphs of their draft guidelines on alcohol consumption, say they intend avoiding the term as far as possible in their guidelines because “its meaning is ill-defined and unclear”. The HHMRC qualify this by saying: “however, more recently, it has been used to describe single-occasion drinking of a substantial amount of alcohol, particularly by adolescents”.

Stafford’s article cites a number of other sources on the topic of binge drinking, ranging from a report in ‘The Age’ in which the federal opposition’s shadow health minister said, “There is a moral panic which is taking over the land. There is no doubt that binge drinking is a problem but it is no worse than in the past” (http://www.theage.com.au/national/three-drinks-and-youre-out-20080614-2qng.html?page=-1) to the opposite point of view as expressed in a fact sheet on binge drinking from the Australian Drug Foundation’s DrugInfo Clearinghouse that shows “…the number of those who are drinking at harmful levels has increased significantly… Among 16 to 24-year-olds, alcohol related harm is one of the leading causes of disease and injury burden”. (’The facts about binge drinking’, Drug Info clearinghouse fact sheet n.1.10, revised June 2008, downloadabe from: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/downloads/fact_sheets/FS_1.10updated2_binge_drinking_www.pdf)

Stafford also cites information from a media release from the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia in which the DSICA cite the Roy Morgan Single Source study into alcohol consumption
patterns in Australia — it shows that shows that while the number of young drinkers making themselves sick is indeed on the rise, half of all heavy drinkers are not teenagers but are grown adults aged 40 or more, and moreover, the second largest group are males in the 30- to 40-year-old category. (http://www.dsica.com.au/sections/media/pub.html and PDF document, http://www.dsica.com.au/pdfs/DSICA_BeerBingeRealProblem.pdf).

Other sources:

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has useful fact sheets on alcohol consumption, including the two-page document, ‘Can parents influence alcohol consumption?’, 2006, PDF at: http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/resources/NDARCFact_Drugs+9/$file/NBN+FACT+SHEET+1.pdf

A 2002 fact sheet from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre defines binge drinking as being something that “occurs when a person drinks heavily over a short period of time resulting in immediate and severe intoxication”. NDARC continue: “Binge drinking is sometimes defined as ‘drinking to get drunk’. The health risks associated with binge drinking include the potential to develop toxic damage to the small bowel which causes diarrhoea, depression of the central nervous system, hangovers, headaches, and stomach problems resulting in nausea, shakiness and vomiting. Importantly, because intoxication stops one thinking clearly and acting sensibly, binge drinking can also lead a person to put themselves and others at risk of harm from other things. For instance, injury due to falls, risky behaviour or assault. It is for this reason that alcohol is closely associated with road accidents, fights and violence, coercive sexual activity and unprotected sex.” (Source: ‘The harmful effects of alcohol’, two-page fact sheet from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, available as a PDF at: http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/resources/NDARCFact_Drugs5/$file/HARMFUL+EFFECTS+ALCOHOL.pdf

In March 2008, the Australian government earmarked AUD$ 53 million towards a campaign against binge drinking (http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2185516.htm)

In 2007, the National Health and Medical Research Council released draft guidelines on alcohol consumption — guidelines that are expected to recommend a limit of four standard drinks of alcohol a night for both men and women. (’Australian alcohol guidelines for low-risk drinking: Draft for public consultation’, October 2007, 166pp., PDF document at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/_files/draft_australian_alcohol_guidelines.pdf, viewed 17 July 2008.)

Tags: Latest news, Alcohol issues, Drugs // Add Comment »

This declaration, composed at the June 2008 GP & PHC Research Conference: Workshop: Health for all young people: research, practice and policy implications, is also available as a PDF
from the conference website.

The Youth Health Research Interest Group workshop of the Australian National GP and PHC Research Conference, meeting in Hobart this fourth day of June in the year two thousand and eight, expressing the need for urgent action by the Australian Federal Government and all State Governments, all health workers and the Australian community to protect and promote the health of all Australian young people, hereby makes the following declaration. In the declaration the term ‘young people’ refers to all groups of young people including young parents, migrants, refugees, high achievers, young people from both economically advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds, intellectually and physically disabled young people, indigenous and homeless youth, same sex attracted and youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It is emphasised that any specific group are part of the whole community of young people.

Continues … http://www.phcris.org.au/conference/2008/media/index.php

Tags: Latest news, Health // Add Comment »

YOUTH STUDIES AUSTRALIA
v.27, n.2, June 2008

Feature articles:

* Social inclusion and youth participation: A New Deal for Australia’s young people? by Kathy Edwards

This paper examines both past and present Australian Government policies, and the UK experience under New Labour in terms of the relationship between youth participation and social inclusion.
Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.2, pp.11-17.

* From ambivalence to activism: Young people’s environmental views and actions, by Emma Partridge
Do young people really take a particular interest in environmental issues, or are they apathetic?.
Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.2, pp.18-25.

* Harnessing the power of perception: Reducing alcohol-related harm among rural teenagers, by Clarissa Hughes, Roberta Julian, Matthew Richman, Ron Mason and Gillian Long

This paper outlines early findings from the Tasmanian-based Social Norms Analysis Project (SNAP).
Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.2, pp.26-35.

There is also a special three-page feature on binge drinking in the ‘Youth Monitor’ section of this issue of ‘Youth Studies Australia’.

* Youth workers and stress, by Vaughan Bowie

This paper focuses on a neglected area for youth workers and provides some insights into how youth workers and their organisations can identify and minimise it.
Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.2, pp.36-44.

* Concepts shaping juvenile justice, by Rob White

Rob White’s paper explores ways in which community building can be integrated into the practices of juvenile justice work.
Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.2, pp.45-51.

* yshareit: A project promoting the use of e-mental health resources among young people, by Caroline Spiranovic, Kate Briggs, Kenneth Kirkby, Caroline Mobsby and Brett Daniels

The yshareit project aims to increase awareness of and access to reputable e-mental health resources among young people.
Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.2, pp.52-60.

ALSO IN THIS EDITION:

YOUTH MONITOR: A national roundup of recent press reports on youth issues

ABSTRACTS: Summaries of research reported in recent academic journalss

YOUTH INITIATIVES: The Youth 2020 Summit.

MORE ABOUT THE JOURNAL

Subscription costs for Youth Studies Australia:

* Australia: $88 (4 issues) (including postage and GST).
* New Zealand: $80 (including airmail delivery).
* Elsewhere: contact ACYS for price of subscriptions.

Subscription inquiries:

* Phone (03) 6226 2591
* Fax: (03) 6226 2578
* Email: ysajournal@acys.utas.edu.au
* Web: http://www.acys.info/journal/orders

Editorial inquiries:

Susan Headley
Sue Headley
Editor and Production Manager, Youth Studies Australia
Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 64
Hobart Tasmania 7001
Ph (03) 6226 1748
Fax (03) 6226 2578
Email Susan.Headley@utas.edu.au
Web http://www.acys.info

Alert service:

A table of contents alert for the journal Youth Studies Australia is published 4 times a year just prior to the release of the journal. To get yourself onto that list, send a message to
* join-ysa_toc_alert@edna.edu.au

Tags: Latest news, Information products, Research, Researchers - youth researchers, Social policy, Youth studies, Youth work // Add Comment »

LEFT RIGHT THINK-TANK

Left Right is due for public launch in early 2009. As Australia’s “first independent, non-profit and non-partisan think-tank of young minds”, the organisation is dedicated to the advancement of progressive ideas, discussion and policy.

The think tank aims to allow young people to contribute in a substantial way to their society through policymaking processes, right through from their origins in academia to their implementation in local, state and federal governments. The closing date for young people aged 16-24 to apply for three part-time volunteer positions there is 25 July 2008. See: http://www.leftright.org.au for further information or email: recruiting@leftright.org.au

Tags: Latest news, Participation, Political sciences // Add Comment »

Gambling Research Australia has contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to conduct a two-year national study focusing on young people and their gambling within an Australian context. The project will research the extent and the patterns of gambling in young people, the context, nature and practices of where and why young people gamble; and the risk enhancers and risk inhibitors relevant to gambling for young people. The results of the project are intended to inform policy and practice related to effective harm reduction measures for young people. The project will begin in June 2008. (Source: Australian Council for Educational Research email newsletter, ‘ACER eNews’, n.65, May 2008.)

Tags: Latest news, Gambling, Research methodologies // Add Comment »

The Australian Council for Educational Research, or ACER, has been contracted by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to conduct a research project on the employment of postgraduates with science and mathematics research skills. The study is intended to analyse trends in the supply of, and demand for, graduates with higher degree research skills in mathematics and science, and identify good practice among employers in attracting and retaining such graduates. The project will run from May to December 2008. (Source: Australian Council for Educational Research email newsletter, ‘ACER eNews’, n.65, May 2008.)

Tags: Latest news, Careers, Education // Add Comment »

News from the National Child Protection Clearinghouse, 29 May 2008:

Released by the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian in late May:

1. “Views of children and young people in foster care Queensland 2008″ and
2. “Views of young people in residential care Queensland 2008″ — the latter is the first report to present separately the views of young people in residential care.

Along with these publications were shorter child-friendly publications — the “Your Views” booklet series which are to be distributed to children and young people in alternative care in Queensland. “Views of children and young people in foster care Queensland 2008″ is the second report in that series.

The publications are based on research undertaken by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian in Queensland, research which forms part of the largest survey of its kind and involves the direct participation of children and young people. The research addresses issues such as the experiences and perceptions of children and young people in relation to their care situation, their perceptions of their Child Safety Officer, and the child protection system generally.

The publications can be viewed online.

Tags: Latest news, Care and protection // Add Comment »

The Australian Government recently released discussion paper, Australia’s children: Safe and well, developed by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to canvas options for a national framework for protecting Australia’s children. It outlines options to address the substantial increase in the number of child protection substantiations. The government welcomes feedback on the discussion paper:
Find out more or
Provide feedback on the discussion paper.

Also see media release, Helping protect Australia’s children from abuse and neglect, 25/05/2008.

Tags: Latest news, Abuse, Care and protection, Families // Add Comment »

31 May was World No Tobacco Day … “One of the most effective ways to protect young people from the harms of tobacco use is to ban advertising or promotion of tobacco products, and the sponsorship by the tobacco industry of any events or activities.” Read more

Tags: Drugs // Add Comment »

Australia 21 is a think tank formed in 2001 as a non-profit group “to fill a national need for fresh and independent thinking about large and unsolved problems that confront us in the new century”. Their latest newsletter is online at http://www.australia21.org.au

Tags: Communities of practice, Future studies, Research groups, alliances // Add Comment »

In late May, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society announced the launch of SexualityStudies.net

SexualityStudies.net is an innovative new online facility to connect people engaged in the study of human sexuality – researchers, teachers, students and those working in the field.

Produced as part of a project to develop a short course in sexuality theory and research methodology, a collaboration between ARCSHS and the International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society (IASSCS), the website promises to be a central meeting point for researchers worldwide, a regularly-updated source of academic and general news related to the field, and a clearinghouse for sharing course materials and teaching resources with an international audience.

In addition to acting as a forum for the exchange of ideas and resources, SexualityStudies.net also presents an overview of the field of sexuality studies and research internationally. It does this on the basis of an international audit of existing courses and curricula. More at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs

Tags: Sexual health // Add Comment »