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Toward a Youth Work Profession

NCJ Number
244177
Journal
Child & Youth Services Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: April-June 2013 Pages: 125-138
Author(s)
Michael Emslie
Date Published
June 2013
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article draws on relevant literature from the sociology of professions to explore the appeal of professionalization for youth work.
Abstract
There is growing interest in the professionalization of the youth work field in Australia and the United States. In this article the author drew on relevant literature from the sociology of professions to explore the appeal of professionalization for youth work. The interest in professionalism is examined along with the strategies youth work practitioners could build on and use to progress professionalization. The tactics proposed are for proponents to concurrently use lessons from other professionalization projects, garner support in the youth sector, lead a project that has broad appeal, utilize existing institutional arrangements, and establish an international movement. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.