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Parents Help with Asset Building
What
are Assets?
Search Institute's 40
Developmental Assets are concrete, common sense, positive
experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young
people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years
to influence choices young people make and help them become caring,
responsible adults.
The Developmental Asset framework is categorized into two groups of
20 assets. External assets are the positive experiences young people
receive from the world around them. These 20 assets are about
supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and
expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young
people's time. External assets identify important roles that
families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth
organizations can play in promoting healthy development.
The twenty internal assets identify those characteristics and
behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of
young people. These assets are about positive values and identities,
social competencies, and commitment to learning. The internal
Developmental Assets will help these young people make thoughtful
and positive choices and, in turn, be better prepared for situations
in life that challenge their inner strength and confidence.
We invite you to thoroughly explore Search Institute: read about
each of the 40 Developmental Assets, learn more about the research
behind the assets, and discover all the resources and support
services Search Institute provides to assist those who are ready to
begin improving the lives of young people and their communities.
Asset List ages 9 to 11
Asset List ages 11 to 18
Why
are they important?
Search Institute has surveyed over two million youth across the
United States and Canada since 1989. Researchers have learned about
the experiences, attitudes, behaviors, and the number of
Developmental Assets at work for these young people. Studies reveal
strong and consistent relationships between the number of assets
present in young people’s lives and the degree to which they develop
in positive and healthful ways. Results show that the greater the
numbers of Developmental Assets are experienced by young people, the
more positive and successful their development. The fewer the number
of assets present, the greater the possibility youth will engage in
risky behaviors such as drug use, unsafe sex, and violence.
The reality is that the average young person surveyed in the United
States experiences only 19 of the 40 assets. Overall, 59% of young
people surveyed have 20 or fewer of the 40 assets. In short, the
majority of young people in this country--from all walks of
life--are lacking in sufficient Developmental Assets needed for
healthy development. These statistics, as well as the role assets
play in predicting both positive and negative outcomes for youth,
underscore the importance of the developmental asset framework and
its application.
What
does this have to do with camp?
As you get into the details of building assets, you realize that
EVERY adult needs to help our youth develop assets--camp, parents,
teachers, adult friends, mentors and the entire community.
See this website for solid ideas
about how you can help your child THRIVE in his/her world.
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