Developmental Assets for Adolescents

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Ages 12-18

 

Category

Asset Name and Definition


Internal Assets Support 1. Family Support-Family life provides high levels of love and support.
  2. Positive Family Communication-Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parents.
  3. Other Adult Relationships-Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
  4. Caring Neighborhood-Young person experiences caring neighbors.
  5. Caring School Climate-School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
  6. Parent Involvement in Schooling-Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.
Empowerment 7. Community Values Youth-Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
  8. Youth as Resources-Young people are given useful roles in the community.
  9. Service to Others-Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.
  10. Safety-Young person feels safe at home, school, and in the neighborhood.
Boundries & Expectations 11. Family Boundaries-Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s whereabouts.
  12. School Boundaries-School provides clear rules and consequences.
  13. Neighborhood Boundaries-Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.
  14. Adult Role Models-Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
  15. Positive Peer Influence-Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
  16. High Expectations-Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.
Constructive use of time 17. Creative Activities-Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
  18. Youth Programs-Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community.
  19. Religious Community-Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.
  20. Time at Home-Young person is out with friends "with nothing special to do" two or fewer nights per week.
     
External Assets Commitment to learning 21. Achievement Motivation-Young person is motivated to do well in school.
  22. School Engagement-Young person is actively engaged in learning.
  23. Homework-Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.
  24. Bonding to School-Young person cares about her or his school.
  25. Reading for Pleasure-Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
Positive Values 26. Caring-Young person places high value on helping other people.
  27. Equality and Social Justice-Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
  28. Integrity-Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.
  29. Honesty-Young person "tells the truth even when it is not easy."
  30. Responsibility-Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility.
  31. Restraint-Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.
 
 
 
 
Positive Identity 37. Personal Power-Young person feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me."
  38. Self-Esteem-Young person reports having a high self-esteem.
  39. Sense of Purpose-Young person reports that "my life has a purpose."
  40. Positive View of Personal Future-Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future.