This week Jean Rhodes, a leading expert on youth mentoring, published an article on Mentoring Youth in a Divided Nation. Rhodes provides helpful insights to help mentors navigate difficult discussions:
If a mentee raises a topic in the news, the mentor should ask the young person what his/her opinion is on the issue and why. This helps the youth to clarify where s/he stands, what s/he understands about the topic or might still need to learn. Listening to the mentee’s views also sends a message that his/her opinions are worthy of respect, that adults should pay attention and take those ideas seriously.
Mentors should share their point of view as well. Regardless of whether they agree or disagree, as long as the exchange is respectful
Rhodes also provides a list of websites that are helpful for conversations around today’s topics:
- Listenwise
- Moving Stories
- Learning Media
- Kids Voting USA
Read Jean Rhode’s full article on Mentoring Youth in a Divided Nation.
