Structural problems without structural solutions? Youth leaders' perceptions of their community

As young people explore and reflect on the conditions of their neighborhoods and communities, they can forge a critical consciousness-merging their perspectives and analysis to direct both individual and collective actions. Photovoice is a methodological tool that allows participants to document their perspectives and analysis and discuss with peers what is needed for social change. In this study, members of a local government youth program engaged in Photovoice with the ultimate goal of exploring problems and possible solutions from their points of view. Through dialogue of their selected photos, participants name a variety of structural causes of neighborhood neglect and abandonment. However, when encouraged to consider the solutions to those issues, participants predominantly identify individual or community-level actions. We discuss the implications of this discord in the context of literature on critical consciousness and social justice youth development, with the hope of informing policy and practice decisions that can facilitate the empowerment of young people and elevate community well-being.