Building Relationships and Creating Spaces and Bridges: Using Hobbies and Preferences as Practical Strategies at Youth Centers

Abstract

  In the context of the growing attention to initiatives supporting children and youth facing ikizurasa (life difficulties), including struggling with school absenteeism, social withdrawal (hikikomori) or being a NEET (someone not in education, employment, or training), discussion of the creation of ibasho, such as youth centers, are gaining prominence. As the number of such places continues to increase, it is essential to offer insights that are based on the practices of staff in youth centers that reflect realities on the ground.

  Therefore, this paper explores how relationships with children and youth facing ikizurasa are built at youth centers, focusing on the creative strategies employed by staff. In participant observations and interviews, two key findings emerged.

  First, in the process of building relationships with these children and youth, the staff experienced challenges, such as a feeling of disconnection or difficulty in communication. To address these challenges, the staff strategically implemented an approach incorporating the use of hobbies and preferences as a tool. This approach is rooted in the unique nature of youth centers as open-access places in which staff strive to create both spaces and bridges for the children and youth who visit.

  Second, analyzing relationship-building through the lens of youth work principles, it became evident that staff flexibly adapted their use of hobbies and preferences in response to the needs of both space and bridge formation. It became clear that this strategy is crucial for overcoming the complex dynamics of building connections with children and youth in youth centers.