There are many views about what youth development is.
The key to a youth development framework is adopting a strengths-based approach. This means actively developing a young person’s positive strengths rather than focusing on their problems.
Young people are active participants in youth development. Young people can and should participate in decision-making.
Youth Development is:
about understanding young people as partners in their own development, encouraging them to take responsibility and participate in decision-making.
Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
...the ongoing growth process in which all youth are engaged in attempting to (1) meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, be useful, and be spiritually grounded, and (2) to build skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives.
(Pittman, 1993, p.8)
about supporting young people, and purposefully meeting youth needs in order to enable youth to meet their potential, and to become successful and responsible adults
(Hauraki Youth Policy 2006-11, p. 3)
Youth development, or adolescent development, is the process through which adolescents (alternately called youth or young adults) acquire the cognitive, social, and emotional skills and abilities required to navigate life. |
