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, 2001 and 2002 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 all three 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 in grades 9 -12 done by Critical Insights, a strategic marketing 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, and 400 in November 2002. 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.”