What Kids Need To Grow Up Well
(New York Times News Service)
A U.S. children's advocacy group says too many young people are growing up today ill-prepared to take their place in society. Search Institute has surveyed 100,000 sixth to 12th-graders across the U.S. and found that the average young person has fewer that half of the 40 developmental assets necessary for healthy development. These essential ingredient range from family support and a caring school environment to personal power and optimism about the future.
The Institute says the more 'developmental assets' young people have, the less likely they are to use drugs and alcohol, or to engage in sexual activity or violence. Only eight per cent of the youth surveyed experienced at least 31 of the 40 assets. The average young person experiences 18.
Here are the 40 assets listed by the Institute as crucial to a child's healthy development:
1. Family support
2. Positive family communication
3. Other adult relationships
4. Caring neighbourhood
5. Caring school climate
6. Parent involvement in schooling
7. A community that values youth
8. A useful role in the community
9. An hour or more of community service work per week
10. Feeling of safety at home, school and in neighbourhood
11. Clear rules and consequences at home
12. Clear rules and consequences at school
13. Neighbours who take responsibility for monitoring behaviour
14. Positive adult role models
15. Positive peer influence
16. High expectations from parents and teachers
17. Three or more hours a week in music, theatre or other arts
18. Three or more hours a week in sports, clubs or organizations
19. One or more hours a week in spiritual activities
20. Time at home, at least five nights a week
21. Motivation to do well in school
22. Actively engaged in learning
23. At least one hour of homework every school day
24. Cares about her or his school
25. Reads for pleasure at least three hours a week
26. Values helping others
27. Values equality and reducing hunger and poverty
28. Stands up for beliefs
29. Tells the truth even when it isn't easy
30. Accepts personal responsibility
31. Shows restraint from sexual activity, drugs and alcohol
32. Can plan ahead and make choices
33. Has empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills
34. Is comfortable with people of different backgrounds
35. Can resist negative peer pressure
36. Seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently
37. Sense of control over things
38. High self-esteem
39. Sense of purpose
40. Optimistic about the future