February - Positive Values
The Positive Values Category of the Developmental Assets
Helping Young People Bring Out Their Best
As young people grow older, they quickly sense where they are wanted and where they aren’t. Do the young people around you have opportunities to participate, serve, lead, and make decisions within the community? Do these same young people feel the community supports children and youth? If the answer to these questions is “not always” or “not enough,” it may be time to make some changes. After all, remember how you felt when you were young and the adults around you didn’t listen or give you credit for your opinions? Everyone deserves a voice!
Young people who feel threatened, unsafe, or scared often spend a lot of time trapped in fear or in their attempts to protect themselves. They're less likely to venture forth and take healthy risks. On the other hand, young people who feel safe are more likely to feel secure enough to try new things. That's why safety is an important part of feeling empowered. When young people feel safe and valued by their community, they are more likely to find their "voice" where they can contribute positive opinions, talents, and earn respect.
Here are the Facts
Research shows that young people who perceive that adults in the community value young people are more likely to grow up healthy, exhibit leadership, value diversity, and succeed in school. Young people who feel safe in their surroundings are more likely to make positive contributions. When young people make positive contributions and have useful roles in their community they feel good about themselves and their future, do better in school, and get into less trouble.
Tips for Building These Assets
Young people’s perceptions can tell you a lot about your community and what needs to happen so they feel the community values them. Ask young people what they think. Acknowledge their opinions, even if you don’t agree. Work together to turn your community into a place that values its young people.
Also try this
In your home and family: Do volunteer work together as a family for a cause you care about. Talk with your child about a belief or value you admire and respect in him or her. To instill the value of honesty, adults need to talk about it, model it, and explain why it's important. Don't overreact or be accusatory if you suspect that your child is lying to you. Instead, give her or him the opportunity to tell the truth by asking questions, such as "Do you think I may be struggling with believing you right now?" - but have set consequences for lying. Create a chart of family chores, listing everyone's responsibilities, even yours. Helping them to internalize and stand up for their personal values also makes it easier for them to practice restraint and withstand negative peer pressure. If they do get in trouble with these issues though, make sure they know they can come to you for help.
In your neighborhood and community: Donate canned goods and other non-perishables to your local food shelf. Volunteer to serve food at a nearby homeless shelter. If you notice a young person who is being teased for not doing something "cool" because it goes against his or her values, praise the young person for his or her integrity. Model honest behavior. For example, return extra change if you receive too much from a store clerk. When you make a commitment to a neighborhood or community group, follow through. Don't minimize the responsibility simply because you're a volunteer.
In your school or youth program: Engage the young people in your school or program as leaders and decision makers. Get their input on school board or program directors’ decisions. Invite them to discuss their experiences with the school board or program directors.
Want to know more about Search Institute’s other seven asset categories or the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18
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Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.