There are widely divergent views as to the chronological age group that constitute “youth.” The United Nations for example defines youth as being between age fifteen (15) to twenty (20), while some developing countries extend the upper limit to age thirty (30) and yet others begin as early as five (5) years of age.

In the British Virgin Islands, the Juvenile Act and the Magistrate’s Code of Procedure Act, define a child as being anyone under the age of fourteen (14) and a “Young Person” as being one who has attained the age of fourteen (14), but is under age sixteen (16).

A strictly legal interpretation would lead to the conclusion that a “Young Person” or “Youth” would be a person who is over age fourteen, and also one who has not attained the age of majority, which is eighteen (18) years of age.

The Education Act required a person who as attained age five (5), but not fifteen, to be in compulsory attendance at school – implying that the state imports a statutory requirement on to the parent or guardian of the child. Youths seem on the other hand to be the state of limbo – a state of transition or awaiting or becoming, with no clearly delineated rites of passage. There are nevertheless, certain developmental and maturational processes (both physical and emotional), which are rapidly taking place, as well as young people striving to attain socio-economic autonomy. This period is quite distinguished from the earlier period of childhood, which was characterized by achieving social autonomy.

It is important to recognize that youth is a stage at which individuals become equipped for economic independence, primarily through training, education, and employment.

Unemployment is often the cause of great stress to young people; the lack of jobs often cause young people to look at themselves to find the cause of the problem which may cause psychological distress. Without the means to support themselves, young people are more reliant on their families and therefore vulnerable to seeking income through other means when that is not available. 

The period between age fourteen and twenty four is selected by most countries as chronologically applicable in determining who constitutes youth – even though it includes persons over eighteen years of age when they are legally able to enter into binding contracts and vote in general elections.

Youth at Risk

The typical characteristics of youth at risk are:

1. Predominantly male, ages fifteen to nineteen/twenty one
   

2. Come from dysfunctional family situations 
   

3. Have some primary/secondary education (incomplete or little formal education
   

4. Ascribe to sub-cultures marked by substance abuse and criminal activity.

While the circumstances, which dispose the family to becoming dysfunctional, may not become immediately apparent, the above profile helps to identify those youths that are likely to get into trouble. Within the education system however a good general education should be obtained say by age fifteen/sixteen. This should be followed by a period of three years where youths decide whether they have the aptitude or inclination for further or higher academic education or, for standard employment. Those youths that continue academically or enter programs that enable standard employment are within the ambit of safety and progressive development. It is the unattached, unemployed youth who is at greatest risk and the increased time at his disposal often shows the nature of activity in which he may be engaged.

Youth Centers

Youth development centers should be established using existing community centers in the community, geared towards absorbing young people voluntarily into programs of personal development training, occasional training enterprise education and recreational pursuits.

At such centers youths would articulate their needs which would be incorporated into programs such as general civics, ethics and morals, peer counseling, conflict resolution and so on. These are intended to help them “unlearn” the lessons of rejection and worthlessness, which lead to low morale and low self-esteem.

The 1991 census population indicated that 17% of our population is between the age of fourteen and twenty four, and contrary to the pattern of other Caribbean countries, there was no outward migration, but rather the immigration of a young work force that is fully employed. Yet, it is the out of school youth between seventeen and twenty-four who are most vulnerable and have the highest level of unemployment. It is estimated that around 9.9% of that population are unemployed while the national average for unemployment is only about 3.4%. It is clear therefore that the problem is not the availability of employment but rather the level of preparedness to accept employment.

It may be safely concluded that young people need the following things: -

1. A sufficient education to enable them to function in society;
   

2. A vocation with an element of enterprise to enable them to earn a living, and create employment and wealth for themselves;
   

3. An enjoyable recreation, including social interaction, entertainment, or a physical sport to enable them to maintain good health an improve the quality of their lives; and
   

4. Empowerment to participate in the key decision making processes affecting development, both individually and collectively.

Education and Socialization

Many of our male youth do not achieve in the current school system, and there is wide spread debate as to its effectiveness. Some persons have condemned the education system as being archaic and unresponsive to current socio-economic challenges, while others blame an uncreative and academic focus for its failure to develop an entrepreneurial class. Technical/vocational training is found to be under-represented in the formal education system, which contributed to it being stigmatized. Consequently white-collar jobs’ expectations preclude realistic employment opportunities.

On the other hand, the socialization process of our male youth ill prepares him for the conformity and rigidity of current classroom pedagogy. Boys are accustomed from early to an active life outside the home and on the street and are less able to confirm to the rigidity of the classroom ‘Boys will be boys’, and ‘girls will be girls’. The latter of course because of the discipline and restraint to which they are subject to in the home, are often better prepared for the traditional education environment where passive education, rather than active learning is the norm.

Meanwhile, the image of masculinity prevalent in society and reinforced by the media—sexual prowess, wealth and violence—devalues intellectual pursuits. Tracer studies for secondary school dropouts should identify weather they have: -

1. Joined the labour market
   

2. Joined the ranks of the idle unemployed
   

3. From a source of material wealth or affirmation through a life of crime, drug trafficking etc.

The British Virgin Islands Government recognizes the plight of our youth, and since 1994 has approved in principle a National Youth Policy. What are now necessary are the operational aspects, which will give effect to the policies. Programs should not be ad hock activities but mutually supportive events that are geared towards achieving measurable objectives.

Youth often express the need for greater recognition and acknowledgement of their achievement through appropriate formal ceremony. Other complaints were that they were not giving preference over outsiders for employment in the country. They felt that the disparity exist in the BVI High School grading system which they consider is weighted in favor of the Arts and Sciences, to the disadvantage of youths in the tech/vocational studies.

Establishment of a youth division/department/desk is but one way of officially recognizing the importance and emphasis which ought to be placed on youth development. However it is a structure and organization of activities and their effectiveness that will determine if the youth derive the intended benefits.

The existing youth development programs at the Social Development Department are well intentioned and many achieve desirable results. The ‘Sunflower Program’ which appears to be popular is designed essentially as a summer program for vacationing students, and provides relief for both parents and youths. Most is engaged in steel band music, others in Arts and Crafts and Sewing and after school tutorials are available in Computers, Math and English.

The apprenticeship and job placement program is a worthy initiative but needs to be further expanded into developing recognizable skills through apprenticeships in a variety of trades. It should be established in a systematic and predictable manner targeted to school dropouts. The program offers great potential for expansion and the opportunity should not be missed for its further development.

The Life Skills Development Training Program is intended to address - Teenage pregnancy, peer education, adolescent development, and youth rallies. These initiatives are welcomed but are important to have sustained programs, rather than an event focus, which minimizes the potential for long term improvement. Many programs therefore need to be strengthened and targeted. Periodic assessments and evaluations of programs should be conducted to ascertain if the desired objectives are being realized.

Juvenile Offenders

A correctional facility should be established for youths that may have run a foul of the law. The focus of the facility should be more instructional than correctional and should not provide the opportunity for seasoned young criminals to be accommodated. Young people who commit crimes must face up to the consequences of their actions for themselves and for others.

Currently a child under fourteen is presumed not to know the difference between right and wrong, and this flies in the face of commonsense. Yet, the age of criminal responsibility (the age at which a child may be found guilty of a crime) is ten years. The effect of the different age limits is that a child of at least ten years but less than fourteen can be convicted for a criminal offense – but only if the presumption not to know the difference is rebutted.

Reparation Orders could also be considered which would require a young offender to make reparation to an individual victim – if this is what the victim will prefer. It could be used on the first or subsequent conviction for all juveniles where a compensation order is not imposed. These reparation orders would not involve excessive hard work, which may be appropriate for an adult under community service order.

The uses of cautions have been abundant over the years, and juveniles rely on it to get off. A new system of police reprimands and final warnings, which are instruments which could be employed to help prevent re-offending.

Legislation

A review of all social legislation to bring them in line with current practice in modern penal reform systems as well as child care services permitting the flexibility to respond in emergency situations for a limited period pending receipt of a court order.