Abstract

This paper attempts to add to the ongoing debate about the role of gender within youth work by presenting a ‘Lens Model’ which links the processing of information to the complex relationship between gender and young people’s everyday lives. It aims to assist practitioners and trainers to develop a more gender conscious approach to practice through a five-stage interconnected conceptual framework. The model is underpinned by clear value based principles that are complementary to core youth work principles such as valuing young people, empowerment, participation, inclusion, promoting equality and the challenging of oppression and restrictive stereotypes.