Across the
nation, Search has surveyed more than two million students in grades 6-12,
and the data shows that the assets are powerful influences on the behavior
of teenagers. Assets not only promote positive behaviors, they also
protect teens; in other words, the more assets a youth reports having, the
less likely a teen is to make harmful or unhealthy choices. The
researchers at Search Institute have found that most young people have an
average of 19 assets. Although Search recognizes that there is no “magic
number” of assets teens should have, the data suggest that 31 assets is a
good goal. The key is to intentionally help teens develop and build
assets. Asset building can occur anywhere, anytime, everyday. A few
thoughts to consider: |
- consistent messages are important,
- all
youth need more assets,
- strong
relationships between adults and youth, teens and their peers, and teens
and children are central to asset building,
- asset building is a life long process, from birth to the golden
years,
- consistent messages are important, from home
to school, to media, to community,
- intentionally build
assets, discuss the importance of each asset, and develop caring
relationships with teens
You can build assets at home, in your neighborhood,
at school, and in your community. Contact your Regional Adolescent
Health Coordinator to learn more about the power of the 40 developmental
assets today.
|
The first four asset categories tell young people that you
care about them.
| Support
- |
Young people need to be surrounded
by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept
them. |
| Empowerment - |
Young people need to feel valued
and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and
respected. |
| Boundaries & Expectations - |
Young people need clear rules,
consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do
their best. |
Constructive
Use of Time - |
Young people need
opportunities—outside of school—to learn and develop new skills and
interests with other youth and adults. |
|
The next four asset categories help young people
learn.
| Commitment to Learning - |
Young people need a sense of the
lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own
abilities. |
| Positive
Values - |
Young people need to develop
strong guiding values or principles to help them make healthy life
choices. |
| Social
Competencies - |
Young people need the skills to
interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and
to cope with new situations |
| Positive
Identity - |
Young people need to believe in
their own self worth and to feel that they have control over
the things that happen to them.
|
|
| Want to know more about the developmental asset, check out this
link!
bottom nav
|
