6.7 Common Challenges - Negative personal experiences

Some young people may have had difficult or exclusionary experiences with political systems. If this comes up, acknowledge it. You don’t need to have a solution – just validate the feeling, and use your judgment about whether it’s better to explore the topic gently as a group or move on.

Create a space where honesty is welcomed – but also where safety and wellbeing come first. Your knowledge of your group will help you decide when to lean in and when to shift focus.