Search Institute has identified 40 Developmental Assets that are the essential building blocks of healthy child and youth development. These assets are not financial resources, but instead are positive relationships, skills, values and opportunities that youth need to grow up to healthy, caring and responsible.
Research shows that youth with 31-40 assets are most likely to thrive. The more assets a young person has, the more likely he is to be successful in school, help others, make healthy choices, exhibit leadership, resist danger and overcome adversity. The fewer assets that a young person has, the more likely he is to engage in risky behavior like alcohol abuse, violence, drug use and shoplifting.
Search Institute has surveyed over one million 6th to 12th graders to gauge the number of assets they possess. Nationally, youth average 18.6 assets. In 2005, THRIVE surveyed 620 local 7th and 8th graders and found that our youth have an average of 21.6 assets.
Each of us has an important role to play in building assets for the young people in our lives and in our community! Below you will find the 40 Developmental Assets described.