When we think about assets and liabilities, we often think in financial terms. Even when we think about the assets our children might enjoy, we might consider their intellectual and physical strengths as well as the things we try to provide for them. Most teens I know consider their cars, cell phones and wardrobes their most important assets.

Yet, according to the non-profit Search Institute (2006), some of the most important assets teenagers have are developmental building blocks that “help young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible” (http://www.search-institute.org/assets/40AssetsList.pdf).

The Search Institute has identified a framework of “40 Developmental Assets” for adolescents that focus on both external and internal assets. External assets include the people and places that support and guide young people and help them make “constructive use” of their time. Families, schools, religious communities, neighborhoods, and youth programs provide external assets.

Internal assets are “characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people.” A youth’s internal assets include her or his commitment to learning such as motivation to do well in school and reading for pleasure. A teen’s internal assets also include their positive values such as being caring, honest and responsible; as well as exhibiting social competencies, such as being able to resist negative peer pressure and having good friendship skills. High self-esteem as part of a positive identity is another internal asset.

According to the Search Institute, these assets can make a tremendous difference in young people's lives, giving them strength to avoid risky behaviors and to make positive choices.

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Podcast: Adolescent developmental assets
Written by: Donna Davis
Reviewed by: Kate Fogarty & Suzanna Smith

Reference

40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents (ages 12-18), (2006), Search Institute, retrieved on January 29, 2007 online at http://www.search-institute.org/assets/40AssetsList.pdf and http://www.search-institute.org/assets/