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Promoting Contribution Among Youth: Implications from Positive Youth Development Research for Youth Development Programs

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Promoting Positive Youth Development

Part of the book series: Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development ((ARAD))

Abstract

Contribution to civil society is a key outcome of positive youth development (PYD), as evidenced by findings from the 4-H Study of PYD. In this chapter, we focus on conceptualizations and measurement of contribution within PYD research. We first discuss conceptualizations of contribution as active and engaged citizenship (AEC) and the relations among AEC and other constructs, such as school engaged and risk behaviors, within the 4-H Study sample. We then describe research on contribution among youth of color, including recent research on social justice youth development and critical consciousness. Throughout the chapter, we review strategies that practitioners can use to develop and promote meaningful contributions among diverse young people. Given associations between contribution and positive outcomes among America’s diverse youth, we emphasize that policies and programs should provide more opportunities for youth contributions to society, including community service, social activism, and/or participation in local politics.

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Acknowledgments

The writing of this chapter was supported in part by grants from the National 4-H Council, the Altria Corporation, the Thrive Foundation for Youth, and the John Templeton Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Rachel M. Hershberg, Sara K. Johnson & Lisette M. DeSouza

  2. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA

    Cristina J. Hunter

  3. Center for Promise, America’s Promise Alliance, Washington, DC, USA

    Jon Zaff

Authors
  1. Rachel M. Hershberg
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  2. Sara K. Johnson
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  3. Lisette M. DeSouza
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  4. Cristina J. Hunter
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  5. Jon Zaff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel M. Hershberg .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Youth Development Leadership, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA

    Edmond P. Bowers

  2. Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

    G. John Geldhof

  3. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Sara K. Johnson

  4. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Lacey J. Hilliard

  5. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Rachel M. Hershberg

  6. Dept. Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA

    Jacqueline V. Lerner

  7. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Richard M. Lerner

Recommended Additional Resources

Recommended Additional Resources

The resources below provide more details about the development of civic engagement among young people (Flanagan, 2013), demographic and social trends related to civic life (CIRCLE), and forms of youth civic participation aimed at redressing social injustices (Cammarota & Fine, 2010; Ginwright et al., 2006). These resources are useful for direct service providers (educators or practitioners), as well as individuals who influence the broader contexts of youth development in the United States (policymakers).

Cammarota, J., & Fine, M. (Eds.). (2010). Revolutionizing education: Youth participatory action research in motion. New York: Routledge.

  • This book presents five examples of youth participatory action research (Y-PAR) projects by leading activist academics who are committed to facilitating youth contributions to social change. This book is a resource for educators, researchers, and youth development practitioners who are interested in engaging with youth in meaningful contributions to their communities and to research.

The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) (http://civicyouth.org).

  • CIRCLE has a variety of resources about civic life and education of young people. Their website includes fact sheets, tools for practitioners, and topic-specific research conducted nationally.

Flanagan, C. A. (2013). Teenage citizens: The political theories of the young. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

  • This book connects theories about youth development, and the study of youth development, to youth political behavior. Flanagan focuses on young peoples’ views of political life and their relationship with their social worlds.

Ginwright, S. A., Noguera, P., & Cammarota, J. (Eds.). (2006). Beyond resistance!: Youth activism and community change: New democratic possibilities for practice and policy for America’s youth. New York: Routledge.

  • This book is a collection of essays about civic engagement in the form of activism, focused on urban youth, and includes work by some of the leading youth development scholars and research practitioners.

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Hershberg, R.M., Johnson, S.K., DeSouza, L.M., Hunter, C.J., Zaff, J. (2015). Promoting Contribution Among Youth: Implications from Positive Youth Development Research for Youth Development Programs. In: Bowers, E., et al. Promoting Positive Youth Development. Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17166-1_11

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