40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS
What are the 40 Developmental Assets?
The 40 Developmental Assets were developed by the Search Institute, a nonprofit organization that studies and supports approaches for the healthy development of children and youth. The Search Institute surveyed hundreds of thousands of young people and from their findings they have identified 40 experiences and qualities that have had an incredible positive influence on young people from divers backgrounds. The asset concept is that children, youth, and adults need positive external support and internal strength in order to succeed in life.
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The first twenty Developmental Assets focus on positive experiences that young people receive from the people and institutions in their lives. Four categories of external assets are included in the framework:
- Support-Young people need to experience support, care, and love from their families, neighbors, and many others. They need organizations and institutions that provide positive, supportive environments.
- Empowerment-Young people need to be valued by their community and have opportunities to contribute to others. For this to occur, they must be safe and feel secure.
- Boundaries and expectations-Young people need to know what is expected of them and whether activities and behaviors are "in bounds" and "out of bounds."
- Constructive use of time-Young people need constructive, enriching opportunities for growth through creative activities, youth programs.
A community's responsibility for its young people does not end with the provision of external assets. Caring adults must make a similar commitment to nurturing the internal qualities that guide positive choices and foster a sense of confidence, passion, and purpose. Young people need this wisdom to make responsible decisions about the present and future. The framework includes four categories of internal assets:
- Commitment to learning-Young people need to develop a lifelong commitment to education and learning.
- Positive values-Young people need to develop strong values that guide their choices.
- Social competencies-Young people need skills and competencies that equip them to make positive choices, to build relationships, and to succeed in life.
- Positive identity-Young people need a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth, and promise.
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