Youth pastor observes changes in attitudes toward substances among young people in Rovaniemi, Finland

Ari Jarva has been involved in confirmation camps since 1993 and has served as a youth pastor for the past 18 years. His experience has equipped him to work effectively with confirmation-aged youth. Over three decades, he has observed significant changes among the young people he interacts with. They no longer use substances in the same way as previous generations and have become more open.

“While my work remains the same, the youth have changed. Today’s young people are bolder, more open, and willing to engage in discussions. They consume significantly fewer substances, and music does not define their identities as it did in the 1990s,” Jarva explains.

He points to broader societal changes, such as shifts in upbringing, the impact of social media, and the easy access to pornography on mobile phones, which manifest during confirmation camps. One of the major challenges he identifies is a loss of the educational concept; adults often hesitate to guide or discipline youth, leading to various challenges. The pressures exerted by social media and pornography are detrimental to the healthy development of children and adolescents.

“The short attention spans and lack of focus caused by social media contribute to restlessness among youth,” he summarizes.

In Rovaniemi, 26 confirmation schools are scheduled this year, with 20 operating in a camp format. Issues of bullying have also surfaced, and it is crucial for adults to intervene when such situations arise. Jarva emphasizes that while not all groups experience bullying, some do, and it is addressed decisively. Throughout his 18-year career and experiences with about 11,000 participants, he has had to suspend fewer than ten students for bullying—an uncommon occurrence.

Jarva offers three tips for engaging with young people: prepare for failure, be a listening adult who helps articulate feelings, and always be authentic.