Unfinished Business: Further Reflections on a Decade of Promoting Youth Development

Special Issue Introduction: The Meaning and Measurement of Thriving: A View of the Issues

“…These innovations that characterize the PYD perspective were propelled as well by the increasingly collaborative contributions of researchers focused on the second decade of life (e.g., Benson et al 2006;Damon 2004;Lerner 2004), practitioners in the field of youth development (e.g., Floyd and McKenna 2003;Pittman et al 2001), and policy makers concerned with improving the life chances of diverse youth and their families (e.g., Cummings 2003;Gore 2003). Indeed, the PYD perspective may be unique among major conceptual models within the developmental science of adolescence in that its genesis and continued progress involves the integration of research and practice, a ''tradition'' continued in the present special issue by the commentaries provided by Floyd and by Porter.…”

“…This idea was forwarded in particular by Pittman and her colleagues (e.g., Pittman et al 2001) in regard to applications of developmental science to policies and programs. In essence, the hypothesis is that the best means to prevent problems associated with adolescent behavior and development (e.g., depression, aggression, drug use and abuse, or unsafe sexual behavior) is to promote positive development.…”

“…In addition, the interest in exploring youth development programs as a source of developmental assets for youth derives from theoretical interest in the role of the macro level systems effects of the ecology of human development on the course of healthy change in adolescence (Bronfenbrenner and Morris 2006); interest derives as well from policy makers and advocates, who believe that at this point in the history of the United States community-level efforts are needed to promote positive development among youth (e.g., Cummings 2003;Gore 2003;Pittman et al 2001). …”

Finnish university student activists’ resources in student union activities: A Positive Youth Development (PYD) perspective

“…They also focus on core developmental tasks, such as accepting responsibility for one's self and making independent decisions (Arnett, 2000). There has also been a shift in youth studies, as pointed out by Pittman, Irby, and Ferber (2001); the focus has turned more and more on ways to promote development of such characteristics that are desirable in today's society. However, Catalano et al's (2002) review on youth studies suggest that focusing on promoting protection and reducing risk is likely to prevent problems and promote positive youth development, and that these viewpoints are fundamentally relatively similar.…”

Young women’s lived experience of participating in a positive youth development programme

“…PYD views young people as having assets to be developed, rather than as problems to be solved (Pittman, Irby and Ferber, 2000). It seeks to promote social and emotional development by supporting young people to gain skills, knowledge and competencies (Roth et al, 1998;Catalano et al, 2002;Benson et al, 2004;Benson, 2007).…”