What are Developmental Assets?
Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

The Developmental Asset framework is categorized into two groups of 20 assets. External assets are the positive experiences young people receive from the world around them. These 20 assets are about supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young people's time. External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development.

The twenty internal assets identify those characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people. These assets are about positive values and identities, social competencies, and commitment to learning. The internal Developmental Assets will help these young people make thoughtful and positive choices and, in turn, be better prepared for situations in life that challenge their inner strength and confidence.

We invite you to thoroughly explore Search Institute: read about each of the 40 Developmental Assets, learn more about the research behind the assets, and discover all the resources and support services Search Institute provides to assist those who are ready to begin improving the lives of young people and their communities.

40 Developmental Assets for Youth

EXTERNAL ASSETS - Support
Family support
Family life provides high levels of love and support.

Positive family communication
Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s).

Other adult relationships
Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.

Caring neighborhood
Young person experiences caring neighbors.

Caring school climate
School provides a caring, encouraging environment.

Parent involvement in schooling
Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.

Empowerment
Community values youth
Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.

Youth as resources
Young people are given useful roles in the community.

Service to others
Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.

Safety
Young person feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood.

Boundaries and Expectations
Family boundaries
Family has clear rules and consequences, and monitors the young person's whereabouts.

School boundaries
School provides clear rules and consequences.

Neighborhood boundaries
Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people's behavior.

Adult role models
Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.

Positive peer influence
Young person's best friends model responsible behavior.

High expectations
Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.

Constructive Use of Time
Creative activities
Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.

Youth programs
Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in community organizations.

Religious community
Young person spends one hour or more per week in activities in a religious institution.

Time at home
Young person is out with friends "with nothing special to do" two or fewer nights per week.

INTERNAL ASSETS Commitment to Learning
Achievement motivation
Young person is motivated to do well in school.

School engagement
Young person is actively engaged in learning.

Homework
Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.

Bonding to school
Young person cares about her or his school.

Reading for pleasure
Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.

Positive Values
Caring
Young person places high value on helping other people.

Equality and social justice
Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.

Integrity
Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.

Honesty
Young person "tells the truth even when it is not easy."

Responsibility
Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility.

Restraint
Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.

Social Competencies
Planning and decision making
Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices.

Interpersonal competence
Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.

Cultural competence
Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Resistance skills
Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.

Peaceful conflict resolution
Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.

Positive Identity
Personal power
Young person feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me."

Self-esteem
Young person reports having a high self-esteem.

Sense of purpose
Young person reports that "my life has a purpose."

Positive view of personal future
Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future.
 

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