Taking Care of Life Our expectations and beliefs about young people determine how we act towards them, the opportunities we offer and the behaviours we encourage – we get what we expect. Young people are often told when they do something wrong but rarely are they supported or encouraged when they behave well or do something properly. This leaves many young people dispirited, untrusting and resentful of adults and authority. As adults we should understand that the messages and expectations young people receive growing up are complex and often contradictory as they try to make sense of themselves and the world around them. Scouting is a perfect place of young people to be able to make sense of these things as it provides a safe environment to learn, grow, develop and have fun. This section contains some activities to help with this.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is how we feel about our lives and ourselves and the extent to which we feel in control of our world. Self-esteem is not a fixed state; the level of an individual’s self-esteem can vary throughout life and from situation to situation. Young people deserve a safe environment where they can develop positive levels of self-esteem such as Scouting.
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