Young People Creating Hope for Humanity

Written By Joel Hines

Over the past couple of months I have met around 500 young people between the ages of 14-16. I have been so inspired and deeply moved by their vision of who they want to be as adults.

We have been conducting workshops on Rites of Passage around the country and exploring with young people the type of men and women they want to be and comparing these aspirations to the many stereotypes around what it means to be a man or a woman in society today.

The vision young people have fosters in me a genuine sense of hope for humanity for the future. Some of the character traits shared by these students in recent weeks includes:

Boys aspiration for the type of man they want to be

  • Mature

  • Responsible

  • Role model

  • Know your limits

  • Humble

  • Calm

  • Patient

  • Resilient

  • Understanding

Girls aspiration for the type of woman they want to be

  • Confident

  • Happy

  • Honest

  • Strong in self

  • Genuine

  • Can make a difference

  • Brave

  • Self Loving

  • Independent

Some pretty impressive lists from some amazing individuals and some traits that we can all aspire to. Interestingly, without exception in every workshop someone contributed a version of the following statement:

"Be yourself and who you want to be!"

Imagine what kind of world it would be if we all did that.

Joel Hines
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