POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (PYD)
The Positive Youth Development approach suggests that helping young people to achieve their full potential is the best way to prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors. Organizations and communities that promote Positive Youth Development give youth the chance to exercise leadership, build skills, and get involved. The self-confidence, trust, and practical knowledge that young people gain from these opportunities help them grow into healthy, happy, self-sufficient adults.
Positive Youth Development programs help youth:
- believe that they can be successful instead of internalizing the negative stereotypes about them that often appear in the media.
- engage in productive activities that build job and life skills and reinforce community-mindedness.
- grow comfortable questioning and exploring their roles as citizens in a participatory democracy.
This information was accessed from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families website.
