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Theories Of Positive Youth Development

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At this sixth stage, young adult seeks intimacy and satisfying relationships, but if unsuccessful, isolation may occur.

Appropriated Age Virtues Psychosocial crisis Significant relationship Existential question Examples
Early adulthood
20 – 39 years Love Intimacy vs Isolation Friends, partners Can I love? Romantic relationships

According to Erikson, (1968) young adults are still eager to blend their identities with friends. Erikson believed that sometimes young adult is isolated due to intimacy. Young adult is afraid of rejections such as being turned down or partners breaking up. Erikson believes that at this stage, young adults seek companionship and love. It is also the stage when young adults think about settling down and starting families. …show more content…

It was also similar conceptually with the principles of positive psychology. Central to its philosophy, the theory of Positive Youth Development suggests that, if young people have mutually beneficial relations with their social world, they are hopeful to their future by positive contributions to self, family, community, and civil society.
A developmental scientist Eccles & Gootman (2002) and Lerner, (2004) have suggested that positive youth development consists of psychological, behavioural, and social characteristics that reflect what they call the “Five Cs” such as competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring/compassion. A child or adolescent who develops each of this Five Cs is considered to be thriving. Lerner, (2004) also believe that these thriving youth develop a sixth “C”: contribution (to self, family, community, and civil society) (Lerner, 2004)
Figure No. 1.4: Five C’s Positive Youth …show more content…

(iv) Character: Respect the societal and cultural norms, and also possess standards correct behaviours, a sense of right and wrong and integrity.
(v) Caring/Compassion: A sense of sympathy and empathy for others.

Schulman (2007) conducted an evaluation on the literature of positive youth development and bringing the four dimensions of difference emerge: The ‘Why ' of youth development – the scientific and philosophical framing of a programme. The ‘What ' of youth development – the developmental focus of programme components. The ‘Where ' of youth development – the different domains in which developmental activities take place. The ‘How ' of youth development – the specific operational features integral to positive youth development programmes.
Table No. 1.15: Four dimensions of Positive Youth Development theory
WHY – The Philosophical Outlook/Theoretical Basis
Adolescence is a time of significant dynamic and interrelated biological and psychological changes which must be understood

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