Reading today’s youth through videos

The Foundation for Adolescent Development (FAD) recently launched five new educational videos as part of the standard educational materials of the Teen Headquarters (THQ) Franchise Model Project. The videos were produced with the assistance of the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. A big gathering of the who’s who in foundation and non-government organization (NGO) work, supportive government leaders, celebrity endorsers, and generous officials from funding institutions came to witness the launching.

FAD is a non-government, non-profit organization providing education, counseling and referrals on reproductive health and sexuality for adolescents. Its mission is to prevent problems of teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, HIV/AIDS infection, and other problems related to adolescent reproductive health.

"Adolescence is not an easy stage. More so today, there are questions and issues bogging their mind and many of them are not even able to anticipate the problem. We believe that one way to a teenager’s mind is through entertainment. This is the reason why we produce commercially entertaining yet genuinely educational videos," explains Aurora Silayan-Go, FAD president.

Famous names and faces were used in the five videos. FAD executive director Cecille C. Villa cited TV host Paolo Bediones for Pagdudurog–Buhay Impiyerno (Drug Abuse, A Life in Hell), which takes a closer look at the different kinds of drugs and their effects on users. Actress Jackie Lou Blanco appears in Sugat sa Ugat (A Wound in the Core) video which narrates the poignant tale of a true-to-life incest rape victim. Broadcast journalist Ces Drilon drops the glamour look of a TV news anchor as she takes on the role of a shrewd sex expert in Taray o Aray (Safe or Sorry) which sheds light on the questions about sexual harassment using a TV game show format. Stage actress Dulce Aristorenas of Vagina Monologues fame and PETA’s Melvin Lee also lend their support to this enter-educate endeavor. Aristorenas presents a hilarious discussion on the classic and fictitious Filipino beliefs on sex via Pito-Pito: Top 7 Maling Akala sa Sex (Top 7 Sex Myths) while Lee does a spoof of Austin Powers’ character in The Sexcapades Show, a musical gag show that makes light of the HIV/AIDS myths while correcting the information and supporting values.

For many years, FAD has explored all possible enter-educate approaches–theater, radio and TV to respond to the urgency of addressing its mission and vision. In its first attempt at video production, FAD also got the support of showbiz personalities like Lea Salonga, Ralion Alonzo, Donna Cruz and Arnel Ignacio. Ricky Davao played anchor in the advocacy video for THQ, while Charo Santos-Concio has allowed FAD to use selected episodes of Maala-Ala Mo Kaya drama series as discussion pieces for youth development. The late Rico Yan endorsed FAD’s campus-based program to develop Socially, Emotionally, Sexually Responsible Teeners, otherwise known as SEXTERS.

The Attraction Of Video

We have seen over and over again how educational video brings young people on board right from the start by capturing their attention and getting them involved in the action on the screen. The use of video is effective in reaching to the "unreachable." FAD’s experience confirms that the medium is taken as familiar and entertaining. It is the air teenagers breathe, who are oftentimes more natural with visual images than with the printed word. A video presentation makes the process of learning and understanding issues easier and faster. It opens the door for critical, independent thinking and encourages appropriate action.

Educational video’s strength lies in its exceptional power to engage young people at the level where they make most of their behavioral decisions–their emotions. And that makes video a valuable tool in any effort to prevent or intervene in drug abuse, teen pregnancy, spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and other serious social issues.

Research shows that it is by touching their emotions that educators and counselors are able to turn many problematic teens around. Many of them are moved by seeing their peers struggling with moral, health, empowerment and other issues presented on screen. They give a sigh of relief knowing that they are not alone, and that other youngsters have similar thoughts, feelings and problems.

Teenagers become more involved with an educational video, if it is dovetailed by an effectively facilitated discussion. It lets them share their personal experiences and honest opinions. Watching the film is the first step in successful video-based education. Choices, conclusions, positive solutions and resolutions are concretized during the discussion that immediately follows.

Writing assignments, projects and activities complete an educational video program that makes a difference. Writing assignments help adolescents organize their thoughts, develop critical thinking, and make action plans, while providing yet another platform for personal expression. Projects and activities reinforce their sense of community as they move forward to implement their ideas and programs.

Video That Works

To be effective, a video program must turn the adolescents on, not off. It must be able to empower them to make the right choices, provoke discussions, and move them to actions. Here are some qualities of a video that works with young people:

1. Entertains as it educates.

2. Emotionally and intellectually involving.

3. Presents them with people they can identify with.

4. Provides them with role models.

5. Presents reality. Teenagers are often more affected by real stories about real people than by dramatized situations.

6. Uses peer education. Youngsters listen to other youngsters more readily that they listen to adults.

7. Gives solutions that are realistic in the real adolescent world. Anything else won’t be taken seriously.

8. Demonstrates that they have options. Options give them control.

9. Empowers them by focusing on what they can do to take charge of situations. This introduces a whole new way of thinking for most kids.

The youth can and should be a part of the solution to the problems of society. They should be actively involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of development activities that have a direct impact on their daily lives. But they can only do that with unwavering commitment and efficiency, if their information, education and communication needs are recognized and provided for. The use of enter-educate, participatory videos pioneered by FAD in this market serves as a model in pursuing this mission.

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For comments e-mail bongo@vasia.com or bongo@campaignsandgrey.net.