by National Youth Development
Information Center
"The resilient child is one who works well, plays well, loves well,
and expects well."
- Norman Garmezy
When we talk about youth, we too often use negative terms: what we would
like them to stop doing. We want them to stop using drugs, stop drinking,
stop dropping out of school, stop having sex, stop getting pregnant,
stop being violent, and stop committing other delinquent acts. In short,
we would like them to stop having problems - and stop being problems.
When we focus only on youth problems, we may begin to think of youth
only as problems. We all want to reduce risk factors, but if that is
all our community programs do, we assume that the absence of risky behaviors
automatically assures positive growth. That is a risky proposition. Our
programs and policies should not be restricted simply to preventing youth
problems or treating problems after they occur. We should aim to create
positive outcomes - to build strengths and resiliency - to provide youth
with protection against the risks they face.
Creating Positive Action Strategies
Youth development seeks to take prevention a step beyond risk reduction
by turning a narrow focus on negative risk factors into positive action
strategies. Whether developing community programs or setting national
policy, we sometimes think we can provide youth with development activities
only after we have eliminated their problems through prevention or "fixed" their
problems through treatment. That is a mistake.
In fact, thinking that treatment and prevention must precede youth development
can be most damaging to so-called "at-risk" youth who may need
these programs the most. We place priority on treating and reducing risk
factors for at-risk youth because we think their problems are the most
serious. If we get around to supporting youth development programs for
these youngsters, we do so only after we have provided treatment and
sought to reduce risk. Youth development comes to be viewed as a last
step: beneficial but not essential, nice but not necessary. As we design
programs in our neighborhoods and in our nation's capital, the question
becomes which problem to prioritize and which "at-risk" youth
to make eligible (and thus, which youth to exclude).
Meeting Needs and Building Competencies
We need to shift our thinking. We need to stop thinking of youth problems
as the principal barrier to youth development and start thinking of youth
development as the most effective strategy for preventing youth problems.
At its most basic, youth development means purposely seeking to meet
youth needs and build youth competencies relevant to enabling youth to
become successful adults. This is nothing new. Twenty years ago, the
Youth Development and Delinquency Prevention Administration in the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare identified those relevant needs as:
a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging, and
a sense of power or potency.
Helping Young People Reach Their Goals
Today, proponents of youth development still see the reduction of existing
problems through prevention as vitally important. But they also hold
that while we develop strategies to prevent dangerous activities, we
must be equally adamant about stating positive goals that we wish all
young people to achieve and then begin helping them to reach those goals.
They see youth development as an ongoing process that promotes positive
outcomes for all youth. Youth development programs are important for
youngsters who have not taken their first drink and for teenagers already
undergoing treatment for drug addiction. Kids from inner-city, lower-income
families need to have the same needs met and acquire the same competencies
as their peers from suburban and upper-income neighborhoods. When needs
are not met and competencies are not acquired, any young person can be "at-risk."
Critical Components of Youth Development
Even in the face of limited family and community support, all young
people will seek ways to meet their basic needs and gain the competencies
and skills necessary to move from adolescence to adulthood. The two critical
components are meeting needs and building competencies.
Meeting needs
Young people have basic needs critical to survival and healthy development.
Successful youth development programs purposely address these needs in their
program design. If families cannot and communities will not provide positive
ways for young people to meet their needs, young people will strive to meet
them on their own - and not always in positive ways. As you look at the youth
development needs listed below, think about how juvenile gangs answer each
of the needs for their members.
To become successful adults, young people need a sense of:
- safety and structure
- belonging and membership
- self-worth, status, and an ability to contribute
- independence, autonomy, and control over their
lives
- closeness and several good relationships
- competence and mastery
Building Competencies
To succeed as adults, youth must acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors,
and skills. Successful youth development programs purposely seek to build
competencies. Various research shows that children and young people who
have the following skills are more resilient and less likely to engage
in risky behaviors.
Physical competence
Good current health status and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that will
assure future health and well-being are needed characteristics, for example,
fitness skills, exercise, good nutrition, and understanding the consequences
of risky behaviors.
Social competence
Responsiveness, flexibility, empathy, and caring
are skills helpful for fending off risky behavior.
Communication skills, a sense of humor, self-discipline,
assertiveness, the ability to ask for support, and
other pro-social behaviors are also necessary, as
are skills to establish more positive relationships,
including friendships with peers.
Cognitive competence
Good reasoning, problem-solving, and planning
skills are essential. The ability to think abstractly,
reflectively, and flexibly and the ability to create
alternative solutions for both cognitive and social
problems and change in frustrating situations also
help to build resiliency.
Vocational competence
A sense of purpose and a special future build
vocational competence. A broad understanding of life
options and the steps to take when making choices,
educational aspirations, and adequate preparation
for work and family life are important, as well as
healthy expectations, goal-directedness, success
orientation, achievement motivation, and a sense
of compelling future.
Moral competence
The development of character, values,
and personal responsibility is vital. A desire to
be ethical and to be involved in efforts that contribute
to the common good, as well as citizenship skills,
including participation in civic life and community
service, and a respect for diversity are important
in moral competence.
As you can see, youth development is an important part of the field
of prevention but it also can reach beyond the defined bounds of prevention.
Meeting needs and building competencies can be done as part of primary
or secondary prevention efforts. But youth development also can be effective
in strengthening youngsters already undergoing treatment for alcohol
and drug abuse. Youth development is inclusive. It is never too late
to build resiliency. What can we do to meet youth needs and promote skills
and competencies through our youth programs and communities. Camps are
a natural place to nurture youth.
Originally published in the 2001 January/December
issue of Camping
Magazine.
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