Positive Youth Development
Updated December 2010
Positive youth development (PYD) is a comprehensive framework outlining the supports young people need in order to be successful. PYD emphasizes the importance of focusing on youths’ strengths instead of their risk factors to ensure that all youth grow up to become contributing adults.
Research shows that only four out of ten young people are doing well, and survey results from the Gallup Student Poll suggest that a majority of youth in the U.S. are not hopeful, engaged and thriving. Most often policymakers focus on the negative behaviors or risk factors that youth face and emphasize reducing statistics such as teen pregnancy or dropout rates. Positive youth development focuses on building the positive attributes young people need in order to be successful. It emphasizes the supports and services necessary to help youth transition through various stages of their development. States and policymakers are beginning to use this framework to develop policies and programs that will ensure that all youth are ready for college, work and life.
This page will review:
Positive Youth Development Frameworks
Researchers have developed several positive youth development frameworks that outline the supports young people need to make a successful transition to adulthood. The frameworks revolve around the physical, cognitive, and social and emotional needs of a young person.
The Five Promises – This framework was developed by the America’s Promise Alliance and states that youth need five key supports including the following.
- Caring adults
- Safe places
- A healthy start and healthy development
- An effective education
- Opportunities to help others through service
More on The Five Promises
The 40 Developmental Assets – This theory was created by the Search Institute and suggests that youth need a mixture of internal and external assets to grow to be caring, responsible adults. The assets refer to the relationships, opportunities and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and thrive.
Characteristics of External and Internal Assets:
External Assets
(relationships and opportunities) |
Internal Assets
(personal qualities) |
Support
Empowerment
Boundaries and expectations
Constructive use of time
|
Commitment to learning
Positive values
Social competencies
Positive identity
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The National Research Council – The National Research Council identified the following characteristics for programs that support and promote the positive development of youth.
- Physical and psychological safety
- Appropriate structure
- Supportive relationships
- Opportunities to belong
- Positive social norms
- Support for efficacy and mattering
- Opportunities for skill-building
- Integration of family, school and community efforts
More on Community Programs to Promote Youth Development
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State Policies that Support Positive Youth Development
State policies and programs can play an important role in ensuring youth have the five promises, 40 assets and the National Research Council’s youth development characteristics. Young people's lives are touched by many state policies and programs that are responsible for ensuring the health, safety, education, and community and family supports are available to young people. Policymakers can use the PYD framework to identify policies and programs that will have the greatest positive effect on youth. Below is a table linking the positive youth development characteristics with examples of state policies and programs that support that component.
Positive Youth Development Characteristics and State Policy Examples
| Positive Youth Development Characteristics |
State Policy Examples |
- Caring adults
- Support
- Empowerment
- Boundaries and expectations
- Supportive relationships
|
Mentoring Programs
Parent Engagement Efforts
|
- Safe places
- Support
- Empowerment
- Physical and psychological safety
- Integration of family, school and community efforts
|
School Bullying Policies
|
- Positive values
- A healthy start and healthy development
- Physical and psychological safety
|
Adolescent Health Programs
|
- Effective education
- Support
- Empowerment
- Boundaries and expectations
- Constructive use of time
- Commitment to learning
- Opportunities for skill-building
|
K-12 and Postsecondary Education Policies
NCSL Education Program Resources:
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- Support
- Opportunities to help others
- Empowerment
- Boundaries and expectations
- Constructive use of time
- Positive values
- Social competencies
- Positive identity
- Integration of family, school and community efforts
|
State Legislative Youth Advisory Councils
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Resources for Positive Youth Development Strategies
NCSL Resources on Positive Youth Development
Publications:
Web Resources:
External Resources
These organizations offer tools and resources to help leaders improve the lives of children and youth in their communities.
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NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.
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