What is a Teen Advocate?

Parent Question: On a personal note, what made you, Susan, decide to become a "teen advocate"? And what exactly does that title mean?

A teen advocate is someone who is supportive of teens and goes to bat for them. First and foremost, it is someone who understands them -- their needs, inclinations, and ways of thinking, and then, because of this knowledge, is able to help teens discover their voice. Too many adults, including some parents and teachers, shut teens down and out! An advocate is someone who has gotten to deeply know them, and sees the importance of helping teens develop their strengths, become independent, and grow into responsible adults.

I initially became a "teen advocate" through my research for my doctorate degree. I spent one whole year, acting like a cultural anthropologist, inside three teen groups: a church group, a local YMCA group, and a drop-in hangout center. I also interviewed nearly 200 teens and their adult advisors within the three youth groups during this time. I did not find alienated, dissatisfied, and unhappy teens. Rather, in each of the three groups, teens felt strong connections towards each other. In a sense, they had created their own "families." I became a "teen advocate" because I got to deeply know teens through this research. I wanted to help them identify the positive things about themselves. Knowing and feeling good about 'who you are' is the foundation for all other learning.

After my research project was completed, I continued working with teens. I took teen groups on leadership building retreats, and organized inter-school workshops to teach teens responsibility-taking and social skills. Then, for twelve years, I planned and led leadership workshops devoted to helping college teens sort through their values and future directions and build self-reliance. Self-reliant teens can identify their strengths and list their resources.

Taken together, these experiences led me to become a teen advocate.