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FAMILY VOLUNTEERING FOSTERS THE ACQUISITION OF DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS
Autor: devorah :: Views: 81 ::
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Beginning with their research in 1989, the Search Institute, a Minneapolis based youth research organization, tried to determine if there was any way to identify certain behavioral characteristics that could be identified to predict success in a child's future. After extensive research, the Institute determined that there were 40 behavioral characteristics, which they called developmental assets, which could be used. The research has shown that the more assets a child may have, the better decisions they tend to make. Conversely, fewer developmental assets may indicate a greater occurrence of risk taking behaviors such as drinking, teen pregnancy, drugs, smoking and violence. Sadly, it has also been determined that most American children only possess a very staggeringly small number - only 17 developmental assets.
The good news is that anyone can be an asset builder. You do not need any special skills or education. Any a caring, nurturing heart that is willing to befriend and guide a young person in his path of life will do. We all have something that we can give a child. As Hillary Rodham Clinton so aptly stated in her book, "it takes a village to raise a child." To learn more about the Search Institute's research or for a free catalogue of Institute resources, please write: 700 S. third Street, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN 55315. You may also call 1-800-888-7828.
Family volunteering enables children to practice many of the developmental assets defined by the Search Institute. Below is a chart listing all of the assets and their definitions.
Asset Definition Practiced during Family Volunteering
X-always
* - sometimes
1. Family Support- High levels of love and support from parents. X
2. Positive family communication- Willing to seek parent's advice and counsel. X
3. Other adult relationships- Receives support from three or more non-parent adults. X
4. Caring neighborhood- Experiences caring neighbors X
5. Caring school climate - School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
6. Parent involvement in school- Active interest by parents in helping youth succeed in school.
7. Community values youth- Perceives that community adults value youth X
8. Youth given useful roles- Active in community life. X
9. Service to others- Gives one or more hours per week to community service X
10. Safety- Feels safe at home, school, and in the neighborhood.
11. Clear family boundaries- Clear family rules and consequences; whereabouts monitored.
12. School boundaries- School provides clear rules and consequences.
13. Neighborhood boundaries- Neighbors monitor young people's behavior.
14. Adult role models Parent(s) and other adults model responsible behavior X
15. Positive peer influences- Best friends model responsible behavior
16. High Expectations- Parents and teachers encourage young person to do well. X
17. Creative activities Involved three or more hours a week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
18. Youth programs- Involved three or more hours per week in sports, clubs or organizations at school and/or in community organizations.
19. Religious community Involved one hour or more per week in activities or services in a congregation.
20. Time at home.- Out with friends "with nothing special to do". Two or fewer nights per week.
21. Achievement motivation- Motivated to do well in school.
22. School encouragement- Actively engaged in school.
23. Homework- Reports on or more hours of homework per day.
24. Bonding to school- Cares about his or her school.
25. Reading for pleasure- Reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
26. Caring- Places high value on helping others. X
27. Equality and social justice- Places high value on equality and reducing hunger and poverty. X
28. Integrity- cts on convictions, stands up for beliefs *
29. Honesty- Tells the truth even when it is not easy *
30. Responsibility- Accepts and takes personal responsibility X
31.Restraint- Believes it's important not to be sexually active or use alcohol or other drugs.
32. Planning and decision making- Has skill to plan ahead and make choices. X
33. Interpersonal competence- Has empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills X
34. Cultural competence- Has knowledge of and comfort with people of different racial backgrounds. X
35. Resistance skills- Can resist negative peer pressure
36. Peaceful conflict resolution- Sees to resolve conflicts non-violently X
37. Personal control- Feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me". X
38. Self- esteem- Reports high self-esteem. X
39. Sense of purpose- Reports "my life has a purpose" X
40. Positive view of personal future- Is optimistic about personal future X
After looking at this chart, you are able to clearly see that family volunteering helps a youngster already practice 20 of the 40 developmental assets. This is already above the national average. By including those other assets that are practiced in other aspects of your child's daily life, you are able to foster a set of behaviors that encourages responsibility and success in life.
Source: Free Articles
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