Concept of Life Skills Education and its Need for Youth

Abstract

In the recent years, big changes have taken place in our traditional society owing to industrialisation and globalisation. The impact is evident in the entire society, with no exception to youth. The family ties have weakened; moral, social, religious and cultural controls rarely exist and a new life style has emerged among the youth. The highly competitive world of today and the absence of traditional norms and support have heightened the stress among youth resulting in multiple mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, rejection, diffidence, anger, confliction in interpersonal relationship and failure Alcohol abuse and criminal behaviour among the youth too are not uncommon. Life Skills Approach is one such approach that promises to contribute to the well-being of our young and empowers them to meet the many challenges of life. Life Skills help youth to improve their personal and social qualities such as self-esteem, compassion, respect, confidence etc. School of Life Skills Education and Social Harmony, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Tamil Nadu has taken initiatives via annual international conferences and research activities to disseminate and share the perspectives of life skills approach to education and help to stimulate new thinking in the area of education for the 21st century. Life Skills Education is suggested by many as a prevention and development approach to this serious scenario. As the definition by WHO [1997] suggests, internalising the core essential life skills helps the adolescents to deal with the concerns in the modern world in a dignified and mature way bringing success to them. These skills will help them to resist peer pressure as they learn how to accept themselves for who they are. These basic skills will help young people in coping with difficulties they face in their personal, emotional and social development. Life skills abilities help promote mental well-being and competence in young people as they face the realities of life. This paper focuses on the concept of life skills education and its need for youth.