Common Responses

Adults say that kids:

  • Don’t listen
  • Assume they know the answers
  • Don’t pay attention
  • Don’t follow through
  • Are not focused
  • Are distracted/flighty

Kids say that adults:

  • Don’t listen
  • Don’t ask for help
  • Take over
  • See young people as lazy
  • Don’t respect young people

Kids say that kids:

  • Don’t listen
  • Are intimidated by adults
  • Feel inferior to adults
  • Have bad attitudes
  • Are defensive

Adults say that adults:

  • Don’t listen
  • Are controlling
  • Dictate
  • Don’t value youth knowledge
  • Don’t have confidence in kids’ abilities

Strengths that adults have:

  • Experience
  • Access to resources
  • Organizing skills
  • Perspective

Strengths that young people have:

  • Creativity and innovation
  • Energy
  • Enjoy instilling values and learning together
  • Potential growth

Taken from: Youth Adult Partnerships Workshop Superconference ’95: Points of Light Foundation. (Oct. 1995) Washington D.C.