Using Photovoice to Examine and Initiate Youth Empowerment in Community Based Proframs

S. W. Royce et al. / Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2006, Volume 4, Issue 3, 80-91 Using Photovoice to Examine and Initiate Youth Empowerment in CommunityBased Programs: A Picture of Process and Lessons Learned Sherer W. Royce1 , Deborah... More

S. W. Royce et al. / Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2006, Volume 4, Issue 3, 80-91 Using Photovoice to Examine and Initiate Youth Empowerment in CommunityBased Programs: A Picture of Process and Lessons Learned Sherer W. Royce1 , Deborah Parra-Medina2 , and DeAnne H. Messias2 1 Coastal Carolina University 2 University of South Carolina Abstract Photovoice is a creative, participatory action research method that puts cameras in the hands of people whose voice is often hushed by the power elite, such as youth, to document issues and concerns as perceived by that group. Adult society provides youth few opportunities to positively influence the laws and regulations that govern their lives or the policies of programs in which they participate. Communitybased programs are one channel for youth to gain skills and opportunities for changing the community context in which they live. Mechanisms to facilitate youth empowerment in these programs, however, are currently vague and i Less