Youth Work in China: A Case Study

This case study examines a youth services center in the People's Republic of China, a nation that contains more than one-fifth of the world's population and an even greater proportion of Third World citizens. Because this type of program must earn its own living in a communist state, it offers services that can survive a market test rather than those that focus on social welfare goals. The program is concerned with the preferences of socialist youths rather than with the needs of at-risk youths. In other ways this youth program reflects many of the contradictions of developing China, including the staff's emerging professional role. Key Words: adolescence; China; international social services; youths; youth services The study of youth work in the People's Re-public of China (PRC) is important. Morethan 20 percent of all human beings are Chi-nese, and the Chinese account for an even larger share of Third World citizens. Any claims to uni