40 Developmental Assets: BOUNDARIES & EXPECTATIONS

Learning the difference between right and wrong

Boundaries are important to young people because they give clear messages about what’s expected.  By the same token, caring adults who expect young people to do their best helps them to learn good judgement.  Boundaries and Expectations do not mean discipline in negative terms or punishment. Teaching is what these assets are all about-teaching what’s admirable and what’s not; teaching what’s appropriate and what’s inappropriate; teaching what’s worthwhile and what’s not. Every day young people face many options and choices. Boundaries and Expectations provide young people with the support they need to choose wisely.

ASSETS IN THE BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS CATEGORY

Research shows that the more young people have clear, consistent boundaries and high expectations, the more likely they are to grow up healthy. Search Institute has identified six assets in the Boundaries and Expectations category that are crucial for helping young people succeed: Family Boundaries, School Boundaries, Neighborhood Boundaries, Adult Role Models, Positive Peer Influence, and High Expectations.

TIPS FOR BUILDING THESE ASSETS

Provide clear messages, appropriate consequences, and realistic expectations. Family conversations around setting rules and expectations helps youth feel heard and gives them a chance to provide input in a neutral situation.  With youth buy in, rules are more likely to be followed, and productive discussions are more likely when a rule is broken if all family members are in agreement from the start.

Modeling responsible behavior is also important when establishing boundaries and expectations. What messages are you sending to youth by how you conduct yourself?  Youth are more likely to demonstrate safe and responsible behaviors if they see them modeled by a trusted adult.

Young people need your guidance to stay safe and healthy.  You offer healthy boundaries and expectations when you:

  • Set and enforce clear, respectful rules and limits;
  • Behave in healthy are responsible ways; and
  • Expect kids to do and be their best

HOW CAN YOU SET BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY?

  • In your home and family: Involve your child in family meetings to discuss family rules and what happens when the boundaries are violated. Compare with boundaries in other places where your child spends time, and work to provide consistency.
  • In your neighborhood and community: Practice responsible behavior at all times to help young people understand why it’s important. Make a point to monitor the behavior of all young people you come in contact with—not just your own children.
  • In your school or youth program: Work with young people to set boundaries and rules within your school or program. Post a written set of rules in visible places: hallways, classrooms, lunchroom, or a gymnasium.

 

Want to know more about Search Institute’s other seven asset categories or the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.ecabnetwork.org

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Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. Adapted from Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

 

 

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About Us The Essex County Asset Builder (ECAB) Network creates regional connections and supports for individuals, families and organizations from Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and Newburyport, in using a positive youth development approach to help youth thrive. Positive Youth Development Being a part of the ECAB Network brings local and regional opportunities.  Locally, communities have access to trainings, data, and best practices, and receive guidance on implementation and outreach strategies that build positive youth development possibilities.  Communities also get the benefit of regionalizing efforts, where networking, combining resources, current policies, and a shared vision strengthen the towns and cities as well as the region. History Recently, the communities of Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and Newburyport came together to form the Essex County Asset Builder Network.  Funded by a three year grant, the goal of this Network is to create a common language of asset- based youth development (creating protective factors). It has been shown that youth who have more assets are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.  This grant will use the 40 Developmental Assets framework to build these protective factors and reduce risk behaviors by focusing on both the youth and the environment that shapes them. The community partnership will enhance the great work already being done to support youth and families, as well as expand community supports, opportunities, and resources. Additionally, the grant will collect and disseminate regional data, coordinate shared resources and bring educational opportunities for various sectors of the community. Goal To spread the philosophy and practice of the positive youth development approach through implementation of 40 Developmental Asset framework within communities across the region. We will accomplish this goal by: Mission To use a positive youth development approach to build networks within each community and across the region that help decrease risk behaviors in youth and produce a healthier community. Vision A network of communities that welcome, value and empower youth through meaningful opportunities and collaborative efforts to support and strengthen youth assets and increase healthy decision making.