Search Institute
has identified the following building blocks of healthy development
that help young people grow up healthy, caring, responsible and successful.
Asset-building
is an exciting, research-based strategy which can promote positive youth
development and achievement, while reducing the risk of a wide variety
of problematic behaviors.
What are the human
assets in young people that make for a happy, successful life? Peter
L. Benson has spent the last 20 years doing research on just this question.
He is President of Search Institute, an organization that has identified
40 assets children and adolescents need to be successful. Internal assets
are found within your teen (achievement, motivation, caring, integrity,
self-esteem), and external assets are found within the family and community
(positive family communication, parent involvement in school, adult
role models).
Adults who want
to help children must learn how to do it. It sounds simple, but the
key to developing qualities that produce thriving children is to know
how to establish relationships. Skills in communication, caring and
building trust can be learned through volunteer training programs
in religious institutions, social agencies and especially crisis centers.
Adults who want
to help must seek out opportunities for building and continuing relationships.
Adolescents may not want to let adults into their lives. They are
building their own sense of self and independence. However, there
are plenty of places to make a difference for one child or a group
through networks in the neighborhood and youth-serving agencies such
as Boy and Girl Scouts of America, 4-H Clubs, religious institutions
and especially school.
Family support.
Family life provides high levels of love and support
Positive family
communication. Young person and his or her parent(s) communicate positively,
and young person is willing to seek parent(s) advice and counsel.
Other adult
relationships. Young person receives support from three or more non-parent
adults.
Caring neighborhood.
Young person experiences caring neighbors.
Caring school
climate. School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
Parent involvement
in schooling. Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person
succeed in school.
Empowerment
Community values
youth. Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
Youth as resources.
Young people are given useful roles in the community.
Service to others.
Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.
Safety. Young
person feels safe at home, school, and in the neighborhood.
Boundaries and Expectations
Family boundaries.
Family has clear rules and consequences, and monitors the young person's
whereabouts.
School boundaries.
School provides clear rules and consequences
Neighborhood
boundaries. Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people's
behavior.
Adult role models.
Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
Positive peer
influence. Young person's best friends model responsible behavior.
High expectations.
Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.
Constructive Use of Time
Creative activities.
Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice
in music, theater, or other arts.
Youth programs.
Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs,
or organizations at school and/or in community organizations.
Religious community.
Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a
religious institution.
Time at home.
Young person is out with friends "with nothing special to do", two
or fewer nights per week.
