Positive youth development is not a program but a philosophy that guides photo: three young people, thumbs upcommunities in the way they organize programs, opportunities, and supports so that young people can develop to their full potential. Communities that adopt a youth development approach emphasize:

  • Positive youth outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on reducing negative outcomes, communities prepare their young people for adulthood by helping them build the strengths, competencies, and values they need to become healthy and productive adults.
  • Youth Voice. Youth are active and equitable partners in youth development initiatives. Though it may be necessary and valuable, something that is done to or for youth is not youth development.
  • Strategies involving all youth, not just “high-risk” or “gifted” youth. However, the youth development approach does recognize the need to identify and respond to specific problems faced by some youth (e.g., substance abuse, involvement in violence, premature parenthood). 
  • Community involvement. All sectors have a role to play in making the community a great place to grow up. 
  • Collaboration. Community organizations and institutions, youth, and parents work together toward common goals – and sometimes are required to work in new ways. 
  • Long-term commitment. Communities provide the ongoing, developmentally appropriate support young people need over the first 20 years of their lives.

    Principles identified by Janis Whitlock (2001). What’s So New About Youth Development? Unpublished manuscript, Cornell University.

To learn more about positive youth development:

For youth development facilitators: