Becoming a Citizen and Democrat - Mission and impact of child and youth work in face of changed childhood

Child and youth work has the statutory requirement to promote the development of children and youth with regards to becoming self-determined personalities and citizens who are capable of acting democratically. Empirical studies have shown that the necessary human and social resources, as well as the fields of experience for democratic action have not been secured sufficiently for many children and youth (especially from disadvantaged families). Against this backdrop, the mission and the chances of child and youth work to facilitate citizen and democracy building becomes more and more important. Scientific studies can show that child and youth work has many potentials, which should be further developed in the future.