Youth's Perception on the Impact and Meaning of Working with Children

Elaine Suk Ching LIU

Abstract

This qualitative study explored, from the perspectives of a group of young adults, the meaning and benefits derived from their experiences of helping children in a service-learning program. The study interviewed 120 young adults between the ages of 19-25 in ten focus groups. Set in a service-learning program at a university in Hong Kong, each participant had engaged in at least 30 hours of service work with children in the last two year prior to being interviewed. Two major themes have emerged from this study - 1) volunteers have identified what they have gained through their experiences of working with children, and 2) the reflections they have made on their own life as a result of the experiences gained from helping the children. Implications are directed towards capitalizing on these reflections as an effective way to foster a positive developmental trajectory for young adults, as they emerge out of adolescence into adulthood.