YFC challenges negative youth stereotypes

Youth for Christ has spoken of the need to challenge some of the negative stereotypes of young people today.

Its comments come after a YouGov poll found that a large proportion of adults, 46%, felt young people were being portrayed too negatively in the media.

Contrary to negative perceptions of young people, YFC said many youths had "great potential" and should be seen as a "benefit" to society.

YFC National Director, Gavin Calver called upon adults to work alongside young people and give them encouragement.

"It is vitally important to challenge the stereotype that young people today are all lazy, anti-social and selfish," he said.

"Every young person is made in God’s image and worth listening to, encouraging and working with."

YFC runs 67 local centres across the UK where it works to address numerous youth-related issues such as family breakdown, bullying, binge drinking, and self image.

Some of its initiatives include youth clubs, school lessons, youth cafes, social action projects and summer holidays.

It also runs a prison ministry for young offenders to build their self esteem and provide them with accredited training and skills. YFC's Urban Skillz community workshops teach those classed "at risk" of offending music production, DJ-ing, MC-ing and rapping.

All of the initiatives give the young participants the opportunity to hear the Good News of God's love.

Calver added: "We see many who have had the worst starts to life and who’ve made mistakes, have their world changed completely as they hear about and meet Jesus Christ.

"We then see those very young people, in turn, become world-changers as they go out to selflessly help and tell others the Good News.”