Regional Youth Focus Groups

There are no better experts about youth issues than young people themselves. North Carolina state policy makers have spent extensive time and effort talking to experts, academics, other government officials, parties and organizations about young people, but little time has been spent asking young people themselves. 

Thus, Action for Children, in collaboration with several other advocacy organizations (Democracy NC, Generation Engage, the NC Justice Center and Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina), held five regional youth focus groups between July and August 2007. 

The group discussions focused on civic participation and youth issues, such as school suspensions, raising the juvenile age to 18, after-school programming, grade transitioning, etc.  Youth and young adults ages 15-17 and 18-25 were asked to complete surveys and participate in group discussions about their feelings, attitudes and beliefs toward voting, politics, educational opportunities and relevant legislation.  These regional focus groups were held in Halifax, Nash, Duplin, Cumberland, Orange and Mecklenburg counties.  However, Action for Children staff focused its efforts in Eastern North Carolina (Halifax, Nash and Duplin counties).

Action for Children staff has also partnered with several child/youth-serving organizations across Eastern North Carolina.  Through these partnerships, Action for Children has provided youth advocacy trainings in Nash, Duplin, Hertford, Pitt and Chatham counties, thus allowing Action for Children to significantly expand its outreach efforts within and beyond Northeastern North Carolina.

Below is a summary of what North Carolina’s youth had to say.

Voting

Youth had the general sense that politics affects everyone and that voting is a way for everyone to express their opinions.

Education

Youth acknowledged that they have power and persuasion when it comes to affecting their educational experiences.

Students expressed great concern, while offering several realistic prevention strategies and alternatives, regarding school suspensions.  Their ideas ranged from minimizing penalties to using detention, in-school suspensions and Saturday schools as alternatives.

Students acknowledged the benefits to alternative learning programs as ways to keep students in school and off the streets. 

Students acknowledged the benefits to funding and expanding after-school programs as ways to keep students focused on their education and out of trouble.   

Juvenile Justice

Unfortunately, many of the youth participants were aware that they could be charged as an adult (for any crime) at age 16 in North Carolina.  Youth emphasized the need for a standard age of accountability and more support services for youth who are involved in the criminal justice systems. 

What Issues Matter Most to North Carolina Youth?

Children, war on drugs, economy, cost of living, poverty, health care and education were among the issues mattering most to youth ages 11-17.