To sponsor youngsters in care maybe not progressive? (9)
I believe the answer is:
backwards
'care maybe not progressive?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'to sponsor youngsters' is the wordplay.
'to sponsor' becomes 'back'.
'youngsters' becomes 'wards' (ward can mean a child under someone's care).
'back'+'wards'='BACKWARDS'
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for backwards that I've seen before include "In reverse order" , "In the direction of the rear" , "in disarray after wicked lie" , "Retrogressive" , "In retreat" .)