Asset Categories
External Assets
The first 20 Developmental Assets focus on positive experiences that
young people receive from the people and institutions in their lives. Four
categories of external assets are included in the framework:
- Support-Young people need to experience support, care,
and love from their families, neighbors, and many others. They need organizations
and institutions that provide positive, supportive environments.
- Empowerment-Young people need to be valued by their community
and have opportunities to contribute to others. For this to occur, they
must be safe and feel secure.
- Boundaries and expectations-Young people need to know what
is expected of them and whether activities and behaviors are "in bounds"
and "out of bounds."
- Constructive use of time-Young people need constructive,
enriching opportunities for growth through creative activities, youth programs
Internal Assets
A community's responsibility for its young people does not end with the
provision of external assets. Caring adults must make a similar commitment
to nurturing the internal qualities that guide positive choices and foster
a sense of confidence, passion, and purpose. Young people need this wisdom
to make responsible decisions about the present and future. The framework includes four categories of internal assets:
- Commitment to learning-Young people need to develop a lifelong
commitment to education and learning.
- Positive values-Young people need to develop strong values
that guide their choices.
- Social competencies-Young people need skills and competencies
that equip them to make positive choices, to build relationships, and to
succeed in life.
- Positive identity-Young people need a strong sense of their
own power, purpose, worth, and promise.
