External Assets

The first 20 developmental assets focus on positive experiences that young people receive from the people and institutions in their lives. Four categories of external assets are included in the framework:

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 non-parent 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.