Dissertation Library

This piece of work has been undertaken to help identify ways in which we can help young people notice and develop their natural skills and talents. I was concerned that some students felt like their skills and abilities were not valued and therefore not valuable.

I spent time collecting research from a variety of people from different backgrounds and with different skills and talents. I gathered data from some small discussion groups, a number of one-to-one interviews and an online questionnaire.

From the research I was able to ascertain that my hypothesis could be endorsed. It was noticeable that some skills are promoted higher than other skills which can impact self-esteem and deprive people from flourishing. I found that skills are valued differently in varying contexts but some skills appear undervalued across multiple contexts. Helping young people feel valued can help them succeed.

I was able to identify a number of ways that help young people reach their potential and flourish. This included encouragement, providing new opportunities and helping young people excel in skills they are passionate about and enjoy.

Young people helped me to identify ways in which they work best and the environments in which they are productive.

I believe that young people should be valued equally. That all people are intelligent and that we all can and should contribute to society. For this to happen I perceive that the alleviation of the skills hierarchy is necessary and we should be seeking to help individuals find what they are passionate about, enjoy and naturally succeed in and use those tools to help them thrive and develop holistically.