Asset #40, Positive View of Personal Future

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Asset Story Archive
11/02 Asset # 37, Personal Power

10/02 Asset #36, Peaceful Conflict Resolution

09/02 Asset #24, Bonding to School

08/02 Asset #7, Community Values Youth

07/02 Asset #38, Self-esteem

05/02 Asset #40, Positive View of Personal Future

04/02 Asset #31, Restraint

03/02 Asset #32, Planning and Decision Making

02/02 Asset #29, Honesty

Encouraging a Positive Attitude in Youth

Optimism is one of the most important gifts adults can give to a child. When a young person has hope for the future and can find a bright side to most bad experiences, the young person will grow up healthy, caring and confident.

But what makes a child positive and hopeful? How can we, as adults, shape that optimism? The solution lies in promoting youth's possibilities rather than their shortcomings-in reinforcing their strengths instead of focusing on their weaknesses.

Research shows that the pay-off can be significant. Young people who have a positive view of their future are more likely to do well in school, contribute to their community and value diversity-and are less likely to become involved in violence, dropping out of school and drug or alcohol abuse. In fact, Search Institute identified having a positive view of one's personal future among the developmental building blocks, or "assets," that young people need to succeed.

Assets for Colorado Youth, a nonprofit organization working with schools and communities to promote developmental assets for young people, is asking adults to rethink their perceptions of youth. Says María Guajardo Lucero, Ph.D., executive director of ACY, "We need to let young people know they are valued members of our communities-that they are resources to be tapped, not problems to be solved."

The following tips are some ways adults can help youth become positive about their future:

• Help young people feel valued and empowered by spending time with them, listening to their ideas and helping them act on their convictions.
  
• Be a role model. Young people pay attention to the way adults deal with confrontation. Model peaceful conflict resolution by responding to anger or frustration with compassion and tolerance.
  
• Let young people know that failure isn't fatal. Help a young person put defeat into perspective and find a positive side to the experience.
  
• Nurture young people's confidence and self-esteem by looking for opportunities to praise their efforts and point out their strengths.

Young people are more likely to build positive identity assets when they are encouraged and supported.

Get monthly news on asset-building, tips, upcoming events and asset stories delivered right to your desktop by subscribing to the ACY Breaking News e-mail. Send your subscription request to kirsten@assetsforcoyouth.org.