NCJ Number
122434
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Winter 1990) Pages: 8-10
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Research on intergenerational programs that bring together older adults and at-risk youth has shown that such programs can benefit both the youth and their mentors in many ways.
Abstract
The research was conducted in 1987 and 1988 and focused on five exemplary programs in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Maine. The senior citizens were recruited from the Foster Grandparent program, labor union retirees, and other sources. They sought to aid teenage mothers, youthful offenders, and students at risk of dropping out of school. The research found that most participants were able to form strong intergenerational bonds. Some relationships involved attachments similar to kinship, while others involved the elders serving as friendly neighbors and providing positive reinforcement rather than intimacy. The youths learned a variety of functional skills through the relationships. In addition, the elders benefited from their new role of helping youth change their lives. Results indicated both the feasibility and the desirability of encouraging intergenerational relationships. 3 reference notes.