Positive Youth Development Approach to Developmental Risk Avoidance

Richard CatalanoBruce Simons-Morton

Deborah L. TolmanSangeeta Tyagi

Moderator – Dewey Cornell

Framing Question:

What does adolescence look like from a positive youth development

perspective?

Is adolescence simply a dangerous period in development where the best

we hope for is to minimize risk and avoid harmful outcomes?

Conventional View

Impulsive

Reckless

Disinhibited

Thrill-seeking

Defiant

Rebellious

Conventional View

Positive View

Impulsive Energetic

Reckless Enthusiastic

Disinhibited

Thrill-seeking

Defiant

Rebellious

Conventional View

Positive View

Impulsive Energetic

Reckless Enthusiastic

Disinhibited Courageous

Thrill-seeking Adventurous

Defiant

Rebellious

Conventional View

Positive View

Impulsive Energetic

Reckless Enthusiastic

Disinhibited Courageous

Thrill-seeking Adventurous

Defiant Independent

Rebellious Innovative

Conventional View

Positive View

Impulsive Energetic

Reckless Enthusiastic

Disinhibited Courageous

Thrill-seeking Adventurous

Defiant Independent

Rebellious Innovative

Forward Thinking Challenge:

How can we capitalize on adolescent energy, enthusiasm, courage,

adventurousness, independence, and innovativeness?