Asset Development
Dear Lynn,
I’ve been hearing about a movement where communities look at youth as assets as opposed to liabilities. Can you explain what this means?
Sincerely,
For Youth
Dear For Youth,
The Developmental Asset framework of the Search Institute http://www.search-institute.org/, as categorized building blocks that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible, into two groups of 20 assets: External and Internal. Since you asked about communities, External Assets are highlighted below which are the positive experiences young people receive from the world around them.
Support:
1. Family Support-Family life provides high levels of love and support.
2. Positive Family Communication-Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parents.
3. Other Adult Relationships-Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
4. Caring Neighborhood-Young person experiences caring neighbors.
5. Caring School Climate-School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
6. Parent Involvement in Schooling-Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.
Empowerment:
7. Community Values Youth-Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
8. Youth as Resources-Young people are given useful roles in the community.
9. Service to Others-Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.
10. Safety-Young person feels safe at home, school, and in the neighborhood.
Boundaries & Expectations:
11. Family Boundaries-Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s
whereabouts.
13. Neighborhood Boundaries-Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.
14. Adult Role Models-Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
15. Positive Peer Influence-Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
16. High Expectations-Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.
Constructive Use of Time:
17. Creative Activities-Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in
music, theater, or other arts.
18. Youth Programs-Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or
organizations at school and/or in the community.
19. Religious Community-Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious
institution.
20. Time at Home-Young person is out with friends "with nothing special to do" two or fewer nights
per week.
I hope this helps build your understanding. As you can see – the Asset Approach can dramatically change the way youth are viewed in their community.