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Youth Work and Serendipity: Some Anthropological Implications

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  • Federico Pozzoni

    (Nationalism Studies Program, Central European University, Budapest 1051, Hungary)

Abstract

This article explores the anthropological notion and methodology of serendipity as applied to youth work and non-formal education training methods. I introduce the term and its uses by drawing connections to the concept of ethnographic fieldwork and strategy to approach anthropological contexts. I then draw a parallel between the role of the anthropologist and the youth worker. I investigate the different options when dealing with groups and facing the contradictions of conducting fieldwork or trainings. Thus, I propose a distinction between the anthropological concept of ‘serendipity’ and the youth work-related concept of ‘improvisation’. I present ambiguous cases of the serendipity process and their implications based on my own direct experience of involvement with youth work through the methodology of autoethnography. Finally, I address different perspectives of serendipity seen as a storytelling construction. Ultimately, I draw useful conclusions on the understanding of serendipity and improvisation in the two contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Federico Pozzoni, 2018. "Youth Work and Serendipity: Some Anthropological Implications," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-8, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:7:y:2018:i:3:p:45-:d:136587
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roger A. Hart, 1992. "Children's Participation: From tokenism to citizenship," Papers inness92/6, Innocenti Essay.
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