13,000 Adolescents Speak: A Profile of Michigan Youth

We're worried about our own kids, our neighbors' kids, the students in our classroom, the youth in our congregations and kids as a whole.

• What if you knew that there were specific, practical things that you can do to make a tremendous difference in young people's lives.
  
• What if you saw documented proof that these specific, practical things really work?

What kids really need are adults who care. Search Institute has administered a survey, "Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and behaviors," to 273,000 young people. 13,000 Michigan youth in 7th-11th grades reported on their lives. From analyzing those surveys, Michigan State University with the Search Institute identified 30 assets that every young person needs in his or her life.

The first 16 are external assets, things in a young person's environment that support and nurture him or her, set boundaries, and involve the young person in structured time use with caring, principled adults. Fourteen are internal assets: attitudes, values and competencies that belong in the head and heart of every child.

External Assets

Family support
Parents as social resources
Parent communications
Positive school climate
Parental discipline
Parental monitoring
Music
Community activities

Internal Assets

Achievement motivation
Educational aspirations
School Performance
Homework
Helping people
Assertiveness skills
Self-esteem
Hope

By creating a better understanding of these assets, parents, educators, youth-serving organizations and community leaders can better serve the youth of our communities. This report dedicates a chapter to helping you implement effective youth programs in your organization or family. The complete research report is available for $10.00 through the MSU Department of Family and Child Ecology.

For more information or if you wish to order this report contact:

Jeanne Parrish
203 Human Ecology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824 USA
Phone: 517-355-7732