Privilege Walk for Teens

Teenagers are just starting to understand how the world works. They may notice that some people have an easier time than others. But they may not know why. A Privilege Walk helps them think about the many things that shape a person’s life—like race, family income, education, or safety. These are not things anyone chooses. Yet they make a big difference in what is possible.

This activity helps teens grow in empathy. By hearing other people’s stories, or walking in the shoes of a character, they learn to see life from a different point of view. They may discover that some classmates face daily struggles they never knew about. Others may begin to notice how much support they themselves have received.

The Privilege Walk also opens up important questions. What is fair? What is unfair? What does the Gospel say about this? Jesus taught us to care for the poor and the outcast. The Catholic faith teaches that every person has dignity. When teens talk about these questions, they begin to connect their faith to real life.

This is not about blame or guilt. It is about becoming more aware. Once we understand how things are unequal, we can ask what God wants us to do. Teens can begin thinking about how to use their blessings to help others. This is how they grow in love, compassion, and justice.

Seeing Others as God Sees Them

The Privilege Walk can help teens live out what Jesus taught. Jesus saw the poor, the sick, and the outsiders. He didn’t ignore them. He stopped, listened, and helped. This activity teaches teens to notice others in the same way. It opens their eyes to the pain or struggles that might be hidden.

Catholic teaching says every person is made in the image of God. This means everyone has worth. No matter where they come from, how much money they have, or what challenges they face. When teens take part in the Privilege Walk, they begin to understand this truth more deeply. They see that life is not the same for everyone. And they learn to respect and value each person.

This fits with themes of Catholic social teaching. It connects to human dignity, the call to community, and care for the poor. It also helps teens reflect on gratitude and service. Some may see how they can use their time or talents to lift others up. Others may feel comforted that their story matters and is seen.

In youth ministry, this activity helps build a caring group. Teens grow in empathy. They learn to support one another. It can lead to deep conversations and strong friendships. It also helps them connect their faith to real life in a way that feels honest and meaningful.

Steps That Tell a Story

These statements help teens see how different parts of life can make things easier or harder. Some of these things are about money—like owning cars or going on vacation. Others are about safety, family, or how people are treated because of their race or background. Many are things people cannot choose, like having a disability or being from a single-parent home.

Each step forward or backward tells a small part of someone’s story. When added together, they show how life paths can be very different. This helps teens understand that not everyone starts at the same place. It teaches them to be more thoughtful, kind, and aware of others.

If one or both of your parents has a college degree, take one step forward.
If one of your parents works two jobs, take one step back.
If your family has two or more cars, take one step forward.
If you are right-handed, take one step forward.
If you have a disability, take one step back.
If you are worried about going out in your neighborhood at night, take one step back.
If your family hires someone to clean the house, take care of the lawn, or something similar, take one step forward.
If you studied the contributions of your culture to American history, take one step forward.
If you have walked into a store and felt like the owner was watching you because of the color of your skin or the way you were dressed, take one step back.
If you are male, take one step forward.
If you see positive role models of your race most times when you turn on the TV, take one step forward.
If you don’t hesitate to call the police when you have a problem, take one step forward.
If your family has a computer, take one step forward.
If one of your parents has a foreign accent, take one step back.
If you ever missed a meal because there was not food in your home, take one step back.
If your family does not worry about the cost before going to the doctor or the dentist, take one step forward.
If you ever changed your appearance to fit in, take one step back.
If both of your parents were born in the US take one step forward.
If your family assumes you will go to college, take one step forward.
If your parents completed high school, take one step forward
If your parents have ever said you that you can be anything you want to be, take one step forward.
If your family has health insurance take one step forward.
If your parents are divorced, take one step back.
If you can afford to go to a fast food restaurant whenever you want to, take one step forward.
If there was ever drug or alcohol abuse in your household, take one step back.
If you come from a single-parent household, take one step back.
If you belong to a race, ethnicity, or religion which is ridiculed or the subject of jokes, take one step back.
If you go on a family vacation every year, take one step forward.
If you have more than thirty books in your household, take one step forward.

Privilege Walk Instructions

Materials Needed

A large open space (gym, hallway, or field)
A printed list of Privilege Walk statements
A copy of each character description (if using characters)
Tape or cones to mark a starting line
Optional: speaker for music, timer, or microphone if the space is large

Instructions

Set up the space.
Mark a clear starting line on the floor. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to move forward and backward.
Explain the activity.
Tell the group this activity is about learning how life circumstances can affect people’s opportunities. Say clearly that this is not about blame or shame.
Review ground rules.
Ask everyone to respect one another. No laughing at others. No comments about where someone ends up. Everyone should be kind and quiet during the walk.
Assign roles.
If your group is diverse, each person may play themselves. If your group is similar in background, assign a character to each person. Give them time to read and think about their character.
Begin the walk.
All participants stand on the starting line. Read one statement at a time. After each one, tell them to step forward or backward, or stay in place. Read slowly and clearly. Pause between statements.
End the walk.
When all statements are read, ask everyone to look around and notice where they are. Let them stay quiet for a moment to take it in.
Debrief the experience.
Ask the group to sit in a circle. Invite open, respectful discussion. Good questions include:
- How did it feel to move forward or backward?
- What did you learn?
- What surprised you?
- How does this relate to our faith?
- What can we do to make life better for others?

Variations and Notes

You can also do it silently and debrief after.
Be ready for emotional reactions. Some teens may feel sad or frustrated. Have an adult ready to support them if needed.
End with a prayer or Scripture reading focused on love, justice, or community.
Always remind the group that this is about learning and growing in compassion.

Resources

Click here to view and print a copy of the Privilege Walk instructions

Privilege Walk Characters

Privilege Walk Statements

Unleashing Creativity: The Power of Creative Activities in Youth Ministry

More Youth Ministry Activities

If you are looking for more ways to connect with teens and grow in faith, take a look at our youth ministry activities page. You will find ideas for games, discussions, service projects, and prayer. These activities help teens learn about God while building friendships.

Each activity is simple to use and easy to fit into your group’s needs. Whether you are planning a small gathering or a retreat, there is something there for you. Visit the page here: Youth Ministry Activities.

What Is Privilege? This video uses a different set of questions but it gives the idea of how to do it.

Questions and Answers about the Privilege Walk Activity

What is the goal of the Privilege Walk?

The goal is to help teens understand how different life situations can affect people. It teaches empathy and helps them see the world through other eyes.

Is this activity meant to make people feel bad?

No. This is not about shame or guilt. It is about learning, listening, and becoming more aware of others.

What if someone feels upset during the walk?

That’s okay. Some people may feel strong emotions. Have a trusted adult ready to support anyone who needs to talk or take a break.

Can we change the statements?

Yes. You can add or remove statements to fit your group. Just make sure the message stays clear and respectful.

What if our group is not very diverse?

You can use character cards to help teens imagine life from another point of view. This helps the activity still have meaning.

How long does it take?

The walk itself takes about 15–20 minutes. Allow extra time for discussion afterward.

Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes

The Privilege Walk is a simple but powerful activity for teens. It helps them think about how different life situations can affect people. The activity is built around statements that show some people have advantages, while others face more struggles. These are things no one chooses—like family income, race, or health.

Each step forward or backward tells part of a story. Teens begin to see that not everyone starts in the same place in life. Some may feel surprised by how far ahead or behind they end up. Others may feel seen for the first time. It creates space for honest reflection and deep conversations.

The Privilege Walk fits well in Catholic youth ministry. It ties into Catholic teaching on human dignity, justice, and care for the poor. Teens learn that their faith calls them to love and support others. This activity helps build a caring and thoughtful group. It can change how teens see each other and the world.

Your Turn

This activity is a great way to help your teens grow in awareness and kindness. It works well for retreats, youth nights, or faith formation classes. The setup is simple, but the impact can last a long time. You can also adjust it to fit your group’s size or needs.

Give it a try and let us know how it went. Did your group use the character cards or play as themselves? Did any part of the discussion stand out? Share your notes, tips, or ideas in the comment section. We’d love to hear what worked for you.