Abstract
A developing theme throughout this book is the continued usage of broad and ill-defined key terms by development practitioners. These terms are used to seduce, mask reality and appeal not only to potential partners but to local populations. The notion of youth is central to this theme; youth is a broad, vague definition of a person who, one presumes, has not achieved adulthood. This would potentially suffice; however, it would be wrong to accept such terms as universal without considering the cultural and socio-economic conditions of the specific population being examined. Ethnographic evidence in this book considers youth in Monrovia as a social category judged by social worth, the ability to acquire financial independence and displaying the tangible riches of adulthood. Youth is a social status in Liberia and one that relies heavily upon adult acceptance and recognition, entrepreneurial skill, acquisition of a home and family and the ability to sustain such wealth, power and stature.
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Notes
- 1.
The European Youth Forum represents ninety-nine youth organisations, both National Youth Councils and International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations across Europe.
- 2.
Information gained from www.youthforum.org article titled ‘Report on Youth NGOs’. Accessed 15 May 2012.
- 3.
Zatti footballers referred to the youth centre as being in or out of the fence.
- 4.
Liberian English slang term meaning broken or ruined.
- 5.
Local phrase for pray.
- 6.
Liberian slang term for deliberately fouling each other.
- 7.
Most players lived with a single mother or grandmother; fathers were largely absent.
- 8.
Meaning ‘we’re strong, we can win.’
- 9.
South Beach is a prison in Monrovia.
- 10.
‘Things Liberian Men Do That Are Wrong!!!’ and ‘Things Liberian Women Do That Are Wrong!!!’ In Exclusive, April 2010.
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Collison, H. (2016). Becoming Somebody: Escaping from Youthhood. In: Youth and Sport for Development. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52470-6_6
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