Citation

Emmett JA. New Dir. Youth Dev. 2008; 2008(118): 45-58.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/yd.255

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, the author writes lyrically of the struggle of young people to find meaning and hope in an increasingly secular world, and focuses his discussion on potential roles for adults “who are in serious life-shaping relationships with young people … to recognize and respond to the spiritual development of young people.” The first role he suggests is similar to that of a museum curator: a knowledgeable adult can provide accessibility to the artifacts and practices of various cultures and spiritual traditions, help young people understand their own experience with those artifacts, and offer possible interpretations. The second role is similar to that of a navigator on a journey of exploration.