A research review about successful approaches for working with young males issued by the Ministry of Youth Development calls for a strength-based approach to youth work centred around ‘anchoring points’.

“Young men need as many ‘anchoring points’ – contact with competent, caring and prosocial adults—as possible.” The review also found that “the more intense a programme is, and the longer it goes for, the more effective it is likely to be”.

The report is critical of ‘educational’ programmes for young men, performed in a group setting and focusing on only one ‘problem’.

“A ‘whole person’ approach works better than a problem focus. Even when addressing specific areas of risk, programmes will be more effective if they engage with young men’s other needs as well.” says the report.

Youth Development Minister John Tamihere had announced in August this year that young males will be one of the government’s top social priorities. He said he was ‘sick and tired’ that young men are being blamed for all and everything that goes wrong.