Culture Clash: Confronting Cultural Ethics Challenges in Community-Based Youth Work

Authors

  • Patrice Forrester University of Maryland
  • Rachel Imboden University of Maryland
  • Mariel Pfister University of Maryland
  • Kathryn Garcia Benjamin El Poder de la Gracia Youth Group

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jcycw.2025.469

Keywords:

youth work, youth program, youth work ethics, cultural ethics

Abstract

Youth workers may face cultural ethics challenges as they interact with youth in programs. There is limited research on youth workers’ perspectives of program impacts on their practice in the US. The following qualitative study examined US community-based youth worker experiences of ethical challenges related to culture as they seek to develop relationships with youth in programs. Youth workers identified external and internal sources of cultural ethics challenges in their programs, which made it difficult to engage in or promote culturally relevant practices with youth. In response to these challenges, youth workers mediated between and engaged cultural environments, received professional development on culture in youth work, and interacted with youth based on their own ethical values. Knowledge of youth worker perspectives on their negotiation of cultural ethics challenges can inform youth workers, program directors, and policy makers in the formation of culturally sensitive practices and policies that may support youth workers in ethical youth work practice.

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2025-10-22 — Updated on 2025-12-16

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How to Cite

Forrester, P., Imboden, R., Pfister, M., & Benjamin, K. G. (2025). Culture Clash: Confronting Cultural Ethics Challenges in Community-Based Youth Work. Journal of Child and Youth Care Work, 31. https://doi.org/10.5195/jcycw.2025.469 (Original work published October 22, 2025)

Issue

Vol. 31 (2025): Special Ethics Edition

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Special Features

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Copyright (c) 2025 Patrice Forrester, Mariel Pfister, Kathryn Garcia Benjamin, Rachel Imboden

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