HE WHO FEEDS YOU: THE MALES PLACE COMMUNITY GARDEN AS A FACILITATOR OF DEVELOPMENT IN BLACK MALE YOUTH

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Simmons, A. (2019). HE WHO FEEDS YOU: THE MALES PLACE COMMUNITY GARDEN AS A FACILITATOR OF DEVELOPMENT IN BLACK MALE YOUTH. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Recent theory and findings suggest that even while enduring adverse social circumstances such as poverty, Black male youth exhibit strengths that can aid in their development. Some frameworks maintain that youth strengths can be fostered through involvement in youth programs that emphasize civic engagement. One form of civic engagement that is receiving increased attention is community gardening (CG). This study examined how a manhood development organization, The Males Place INC. (TMP), utilized community gardening to promote development among Black male youth. Drawing on Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Sociopolitical Development (SPD) frameworks, I analyzed 11 interviews with graduates of the program and observations of current participants to describe how community gardening within TMP helps Black male youth cultivate important strengths. Results indicate that CG facilitated development in Black male youth by promoting gains in the 5 C’s of PYD: competence, confidence, connection, character and caring. Additionally, my analysis suggests that as Black male youth contributed to their community, they contemporaneously developed the 5 C’s. I highlight broad implications of how these results can inform how community programs use community gardens to promote healthy development among Black male youth living in challenging environments.

Details
Author

Simmons, Alexander

Title

HE WHO FEEDS YOU: THE MALES PLACE COMMUNITY GARDEN AS A FACILITATOR OF DEVELOPMENT IN BLACK MALE YOUTH

Physical Description

1 online resource (91 pages) : PDF

Date

2019

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Recent theory and findings suggest that even while enduring adverse social circumstances such as poverty, Black male youth exhibit strengths that can aid in their development. Some frameworks maintain that youth strengths can be fostered through involvement in youth programs that emphasize civic engagement. One form of civic engagement that is receiving increased attention is community gardening (CG). This study examined how a manhood development organization, The Males Place INC. (TMP), utilized community gardening to promote development among Black male youth. Drawing on Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Sociopolitical Development (SPD) frameworks, I analyzed 11 interviews with graduates of the program and observations of current participants to describe how community gardening within TMP helps Black male youth cultivate important strengths. Results indicate that CG facilitated development in Black male youth by promoting gains in the 5 C’s of PYD: competence, confidence, connection, character and caring. Additionally, my analysis suggests that as Black male youth contributed to their community, they contemporaneously developed the 5 C’s. I highlight broad implications of how these results can inform how community programs use community gardens to promote healthy development among Black male youth living in challenging environments.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Agriculture
Developmental psychology
African Americans--Study and teaching
Ethnicity--Study and teaching

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Black Youth
Community Gardening
Contribution
Manhood
Positive Youth Development
Sociopolitical Development

Subject Area

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Case, Andrew

Committee Members

Merriweather, Lisa
Cook, James

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2019.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Simmons_uncc_0694N_12131

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2229