 It is true that parents are the greatest influence over their children. In today’s society, however, the reasons why some adolescents are using drugs and nearly half are sexually active are that their parents are not “connected” with them and/or they are not positive role models. In addition, 40% of young people are living in single parent families; research studies have found that this usually has a negative effect on their emotional, physical, and psychological well-being.
While teaching high school for 10 years, The PEERS Project’s Director, Eve Jackson, observed the vital role that teenagers also play in affecting young people’s attitude and behavior. Their sub-culture has a powerful influence on their decision making, especially between 10 and 16 years of age.
In the last decade, youth leadership development models have been well researched and have proven to be more effective than traditional adult-driven programs. Based on research by Karen Pittman at the Forum for Youth Investment, “Youth engagement – promoting youth as problem solvers – has proven to be more effective than problem prevention models in galvanizing commitments from adolescents.” Extensive studies by the Institute conclude that active engagement enable youth to:
- Internalize strong values that guide positive choices
- Acquire skills and competencies that equip them to make positive choices, to build healthy relationships and to succeed in life
- Develop a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth and promise
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