In the life of an individual, the three years between the ages of 12 and 15 are a crucial period- a stage of transition from childhood to maturity.

We often referred to young people in this age range as junior youth. They are no longer children but have not yet reached the fullness of youth.

Unfortunately, there is an erroneous yet widely spread propagated image of junior youth as impulsive, rebellious, self-absorbed, and prone to constant crisis. We, however, see them in a different light. It is true that, during this short period of life, we all experience rapid changes, physically, emotionally, and mentally. And it is also true that, as a result, we may show some rebelliousness. But, in reality, this is an age of great potential and great promise.

We were junior youth not so long ago and remember how we were affected by these changes. Sometimes we were courageous and sometimes timid. Sometimes we were quite sociable and other times very shy. We often expressed the desire to be left alone, while hoping to receive attention. We wanted to understand what things we were good at and what talents and abilities we have. And it mattered to us greatly how other people saw us and what they thought of our ideas.

What is important to realize is that this kind of behavior is only temporary? In the life of a human being, it is during these years that certain powers of mind developed rapidly. we begin to seek answers to fundamental questions of existence. We analyzed what goes on around us and questioned much of what we have been taught. And we are not willing as we once were to follow automatically what adults tell us to do, especially when we see contradictions between their words and actions.

If young people are to be assisted in applying fruitfully their emerging powers, it is essential to avoid treating them like children. Here is how Abdul Baha describes this period:

"After a time he enters the period of youth, in which his former conditions and needs are superseded by new requirements applicable to the advance in his degree. His faculties of observation are broadened and deepened, his intelligent capacities are trained and awakened, the limitations and environment of childhood no longer restrict his energies and accomplishments.

The Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the Baha'i Faith, says this about the approach we have adopted in working with Junior youth:

While global trends project an image of this age group as problematic, lost in the throes of tumultuous physical and emotional change, unresponsive, and self-consumed consumed, the Baha'i community in the language it employs and the approaches it adopts is moving decidedly in the opposite direction, seeing in the junior youth instead altruism, an acute sense of justice, eagerness to learn about the universe and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world.

The Junior Youth Empowerment Program

Those between the ages of 12 and 15 yearn to belong to a group of friends with whom they can share their thoughts, work on projects, play sports, and so on. For this reason, the program is built around the concept of a junior youth group. Each group is guided by an animator, often an older youth who, as a true friend to the members, assists them in developing their capacities.

Groups meet regularly. In the meetings, junior youth learn to explore concepts and express ideas with no fear of censure or ridicule. They are encouraged to listen, to speak, to reflect, to analyze, to make decisions, and to act on them.