Positive Youth Development

I think that one way I will be working with youth is either through family or through my job. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do yet, but I could see myself teaching in the future or being some sort of instructor. I already have a number of cousins that are growing up now that will be entering adolescence just like I did not so long ago. I also don’t think that parenting would be completely out of the picture, although I don’t have a very strong desire to be a mother right now.

One aspect of Positive Youth Development I can take with me is instilling the importance of seeing problems or mistakes as resources or building blocks towards a constructive mindset. If I were to become a parent I would want to make sure that the kids that I raise will be caring, thoughtful and competent individuals. (The five C’s of PYD.) I would want them to feel comfortable with sharing their emotions and communicating with other peers and adults. I would also want to help them know that they are no less important and that they have no less responsibilities just because they are young.

I think I’d have them be creative, and get them engaged in creating art or writing. i think that will help them understand how to express themselves. Also to get more involved with the community, I would try to find different activities they could participate in, such as community service activities, charity drives and school functions. I also would want to make sure that they are involved in other people’s lives as much as possible and I want them to feel cared for and valued.

I did not really expect to be a parent or someone very involved with kids in the future, but I do know that it’s important to understand that without adults, kids won’t be able to integrate into society. I hope to be somewhat more of an aunt figure or a teacher rather than a parent, only because I see how worried my parents get about me and my sister, and I don’t exactly want to experience that same worry, though I know they receive great joy from the fact that we are there. I think I would just always be concerned about the dangers of the world, which I don’t think is something I’ll be able to alter about myself. I want to be the person that gives advice and presents and love without having the burden of constant anxiety over a whole life.

Procter, 2020 What is Positive Psychology? What is Happiness? [PowerPoint presentation]. Retrieved from Moodle.