Indicator: 21 Youth With Positive Adults in Their Lives
Why This Is Important
Modeling is a very powerful shaper of behavior for young people,
especially when positive behaviors are reinforced over and over
again. Young people who have numerous positive interactions with
different adults in their community can develop close bonds to that
community, which protect them from engaging in risky behaviors.
All young people need to be nurtured by positive, caring adults.
Where We Stand
Most of a sample of Maine youth interviewed in 2000 and 2001 reported
at least three adults with positive influence on their lives. Eighty
percent or more reported at least three adults who regularly give
them encouragement, talk with them at least once a month, spend
a lot of time helping others, or with whom the youth like to spend
time.
At the same time, the surveyed youth also reported few contacts
with adults who could be negative role models. Specifically, only
about one-fifth of the respondents in both years identified three
or more adults in their lives who do dangerous things and who are
a potentially negative influence.
Data Sources and Context
This indicator was shaped by the work of the Search Institute and
their research into developmental assets of young people. The developmental
asset framework is popular with many working in the field of youth
development. The data source for this indicator is a statewide telephone
survey of Maine youth aged 13 to 19 done by Critical Insights, a
strategic marking research firm in Portland, Maine. A total of 403
telephone interviews with Maine youth were done in November 2000;
402 more were interviewed in November 2001. The youth were asked
the following: "Tell me how many adults (not including your
parents or relatives) who you have known for at least two years
(a) give you encouragement whenever they see you, (b) you look forward
to spending time with, (c) spend a lot of time helping other people,
(d) do things that are wrong or dangerous, (e) talk with you at
least once a month."
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