40 Developmental Assets: Background

What are the 40 Developmental Assets?
Why are the 40 Developmental Assets important?
Can anything be done to increase the assets young people experience?

What are the 40 Developmental Assets?
40 Developmental Assets are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. The developmental asset framework was created by the Search Institute, an independent nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities.

The developmental asset framework is categorized into two groups of 20 assets. External assets are the positive experiences young people receive from the world around them. These 20 assets are about supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young people's time. External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development.

The 20 internal assets identify those characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people. These assets are about positive values and identities, social competencies, and commitment to learning. The internal developmental assets will help these young people make thoughtful and positive choices and, in turn, be better prepared for situations in life that challenge their inner strength and confidence.

Why are the 40 Developmental Assets important?
Search Institute has surveyed more than 2 million youth across the U.S. and Canada since 1989. Researchers have learned about the experiences, attitudes, behaviors, and the number of developmental assets at work for these young people. Studies reveal strong and consistent relationships between the number of assets present in young people’s lives and the degree to which they develop in positive and healthful ways. Results show that the greater the numbers of developmental assets are experienced by young people, the more positive and successful their development. The fewer the number of assets present, the greater the possibility youth will engage in risky behaviors such as drug use, unsafe sex and violence.

The reality is that the average young person surveyed in the U.S. experiences only 18 of the 40 assets. Overall, 62 percent of young people surveyed have fewer than 20 of the 40 assets. In short, the majority of young people in this country--from all walks of life--are lacking in sufficient developmental assets needed for healthy development. These statistics, as well as the role assets play in predicting both positive and negative outcomes for youth, underscore the importance of the developmental asset framework and its application.

Can anything be done to increase the assets young people experience?
The answer is a resounding and hopeful yes! Adults and youth--in big and small ways--can help increase Developmental Assets in the daily lives of young people. What’s needed is an understanding of what actions and behaviors breed success, willingness and ideas to apply that knowledge, and most importantly, a desire to see young people grow up happy, healthy, and confident.

“Asset-building”--the Search Institute’s term for purposefully helping youth experience more assets in their lives--is happening in hundreds of communities by thousands of people across North America. Youth and adults—in big cities and small towns-- understand in growing numbers the awesome power they have in making positive and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Individually and together, they are actively engaged in the movement to grow healthy communities and healthy youth.

The Northern Kentucky Health Department is getting involved in this growing asset-building movement. Through networking, training and programming we hope to encourage others in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties to build assets and mobilize into a Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth Initiative.