Pavee Point Factsheets - Traveller Youth
According to Census 2002, two out of every five Travellers are under 15
years of age, compared to one out of five among the general population.
A higher birth rate (3.5 children copared to 1.5 among the general
population) and higher mortality rates account for this young
population.
Like all Travellers, young Travellers are not a homogenous group. They have different needs according to their living circumstances and lifestyles. So, both formal and informal responses to their needs should take their cultural and varying needs into consideration.
Youth Work
Youth work, as an educational process, is expected to play a key role in enabling young people to analyse society. It is also expected to help them to develop skills and capabilities they need to become involved in affecting change. Due to the gaps in the education provision and low uptake in the formal education sector, it is important that young Travellers have access to youth work services. Census 2002 states that two thirds of Travellers who indicated the age they left school said they did so before they were 15 years. This is compared to 15% of the general population.
Issues Facing Young Travellers
Some of the issues that face young Travellers include:
- Lack of access to youth work services
- Discrimination when trying to access commercial recreational services
- An increase in drug misuse in the community
- The need to reinforce cultural identity
- Increased participation in decisions that effect their lives
Task Force Recommendations
The Task Force Report on the Traveller Community (1995) said youth work
with Travellers should: "Assist in the development of individual and
collective self-esteem though services which are based on standards of
excellence, are non-judgemental, accepting, culturally appropriate,
encouraging yet challenging."
The Task Force Report further recommends the development of an equality
mechanism, which would identify, track and monitor Traveller
involvement in mainstream youth provision.
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