In recent years there has been an increasing call to use strengths rather than deficit-based approaches to many issues, and especially those around youth and community development.

Strengths approaches have great appeal because they emphasise what is helpful rather than what is wrong.

A strengths-based approach recognises that both ‘risk’ and ‘protective’ factors are acquired throughout a young person’s development. Risk factors increase the likelihood of difficulties in life and poor health and well-being. Protective factors enhance life opportunities and promote good health and well-being.

 Strength factors:

• Large net of social support from wider family, teachers, school, workplace, church, youth organisations and leaders
  
  
• Faith that life has meaning, optimism, aspirations, hopes and plans for the future
  
  
• Parenting that combines warmth with clear limits and firm consequences
  
  
• Safe, supportive neighbourhoods
  
  
• Staying longer at school and achieving well
  
  
• Involved in extracurricular activities and having many interests and hobbies
  
  
• At least one close friend
  
  
• Mainly law-abiding friends with positive interests
  
  
• Thinking skills, including problem solving and seeing things from others’ perspectives
  
  
• Positive social interactions with other people
  
  
• Attachment to the community and one’s culture
  
  
• Meaningful employment.

(Source: Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa) 

Find out more: 

From strength 2 strength - A New Zealand Site

Reclaiming Youth - Reclaiming Youth provides strength-based conferences, training programs, research, and publications to create environments in which all young people can thrive and grow

Wiki strengths based page

The Centre for Strengths Based Initiatives

Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice  

Strengths based approaches in education