In my master's thesis, I explored the value systems of young people from the perspective of youth workers. In the theoretical introduction, I focused on examining youth as a stage of life, discussing values, their significance, and, in particular, the value systems of young people. I also explored the meaning of leisure time and the types of leisure activities in which young people may engage. The final part of the theoretical introduction was devoted to youth organisations in Slovenia.
The research questions, on the basis of which I also developed the guidelines for conducting the focus groups, were as follows: What, in the opinion of youth workers, shapes the values of young people? Which values are considered important to young people by youth workers? How, in the opinion of youth workers, are young people's values reflected in their relationships with peers? How are young people's values reflected in their relationships with youth workers? And how do youth workers contribute to shaping the values of young people?
This is a qualitative study, and the primary empirical material consists of verbal descriptions and narratives collected from participants in two focus groups. The focus groups included youth workers who predominantly engage in youth work on a professional rather than a voluntary basis. The findings indicate that young people's values vary considerably and should not be generalised to the entire population. However, individualistic values are becoming increasingly prominent. The value system of young people is shaped by numerous factors, with family, the environment in which they grow up, and peers playing particularly important roles. Social media are also gaining importance and are becoming increasingly significant for the socialisation and communication of young people. I also found that values within relationships between youth workers and young people depend primarily on the interpersonal relationship between the individuals involved, rather than solely on the general value systems of young people and youth workers. I believe that youth workers can make a significant contribution to shaping young people's value systems, as they can provide a non-formal environment in which young people feel safe and accepted. At the same time, youth workers offer opportunities within their organisations for young people to learn about and critically reflect on their values.
Based on the research findings, I propose that youth work organisations should be decentralised. I believe that the non-formal framework of youth work makes a significant contribution to the well-being of young people's living environments. Youth workers can provide a safe space for young individuals, where they can acquire various competences and critically reflect on value systems. I believe that this is an important and valuable part of growing up and should therefore be accessible to a greater number of young people, including those living in more rural areas of Slovenia. In my view, youth work and its environments enhance the quality of life of young people and expose individuals to diverse worldviews, primarily through various activities. Therefore, I propose that youth work organisations should maintain a strong presence within communities and involve as broad a population as possible, not only young people, thereby also fostering intergenerational connections.
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