When our thoughts turn to youth, particularly youth crime, one of the immediate strategies that comes to mind is mentoring. I am by no means an expert on mentoring as a strategy to reduce youth crime. Still, I understand that it represents a positive strengths based alternative to the more punitive approaches. The question I do have and want to explore briefly is why stop at youth as targets of mentoring?

The little research I have read on mentoring for youth indicates it is a successful approach to addressing youth crime for many young people. This is described as “small but significant” in the research terminology. Of course, like all approaches, different things work for different people, but it has a decent rate of success in both the short and long term.

Consistent across the research I have seen is the importance of evidence-based mentoring programs. This will, of course, assist in a higher rate of success. There is also evidence that the training of mentors is important, as is the mentors’ previous experience. Those with prior experience working in the helping professions were often more successful than those utilising mentors without experience in the target group. In this case, youth. Above all, mentoring was viewed to be of success due to it providing the young person with a one to one relationship with a caring adult. For those familiar with one of the drivers of youth crime being early childhood trauma, this will be no surprise as positive experiences that provide an emotional buffer will form part of the healing process and work to rewire the brain so that both the trauma is healed and the likelihood of reoffending reduced. 

Why Only Youth?

If mentoring can be successful with youth at risk of offending, will it also be a practical approach when working with other cohorts? 

The answer, of course, is yes.  My evidence here is mainly anecdotal. 

In particular, I would like to highlight a program where mentoring has been successful for adults, parents in particular.

The Strengths Men and Fathers program is based in Far North Queensland. It is evidence and data based and has been running for over 8 years. The Strengths program is conducted over 6 weeks and involves 10-12 men who are either fathers now or will be in the future. It is a program for men facilitated by men. 

There are 8 main topics covered by the program: the impact of the father, managing emotions, communication and quality time, emotional intelligence, self reflection and self care, fathering well through separation and divorce, ongoing support and the importance of community. This is a comprehensive program.

It is offered free of charge due to funding support from the Communities for Children program (An Australian Federal Government initiative) and additional support from other organisations.

Its success is evidenced by referrals coming mainly from the community and those who have previously attended a course. Very few referrals come from service providers.

This is an example of how mentoring has been successful for adults in changing their behaviour towards how they function as a parent. I’ve seen many parenting programs over the years, but this is the first I’ve seen focusing solely on the father’s role. It initially stands out for that one reason. Additionally, it not only relies on the knowledge and experience of the facilitator to provide mentoring to those attending but also focuses on the relationships developing between the men attending. In a way, they become each other’s mentor.

Do We Really Need Mentoring?

In this section, I am thinking out loud. Do we really need mentoring? Is it a sign we have lost an essential aspect of being part of a connected community? 

If we are living in a connected and strong community, there are several attending functions. We see positive role models guiding our relationships and how we interact with each other in ways that continue to strengthen the community. We witness community members caring for each other and providing support when a young person needs the support and guidance. In a functioning, connected community, mentors are observably available. For me as a young person growing up, these came in many forms, but in particular, the one or two teachers who inspired me, the local church youth group leaders providing me with friendship and counsel, the tertiary lecturers who took me under their wing when I was going through a particularly tough time. These are all products of a connected community where people care for each other and uphold each other throughout life.

Would we still need mentoring services if we really have this type of community?