Published: November 08, 2009 12:17 am      

BRIDGWATER: Asset No. 3 — Other adult relationships

Asset No. 3: Other adult relationships



Think back to your youth. For most of you, it will be a quick trip to identify the adults in your life that you enjoyed spending time with and talking with. Who were there? They may have been relatives or neighbors. Perhaps they were teachers or a favorite school bus driver, a neighbor, pastor, or coach. Regardless of their position or title, these people showed interest in and concern for you. They helped you sort out issues of growing up. When you think about them you smile.

Certainly our young people also need these caring type adults in their lives. Research from the Search Institute shows that when young people receive the support of three or more non-parent adults, they are more likely to grow up healthy. They are also less likely to be involved in violence or the use of alcohol and other drugs and they are more likely to become good leaders, value diversity, and succeed in school.

Nearly half, about 49 percent of Floyd County’s young people, grades 6th through 12th, say they have the support of three or more caring adults. These are the people youth can bounce ideas off of and to help youth as they negotiate their way through life’s path.

So how can we help our youth identify these individuals? Find sharing time to talk with your child about the adults he enjoys being with … and why. Tell about the people who were important in your life as you grew up as you also share what you learned from them. Be certain to spend more time listening and talking your child’s adult friends rather than yours.

Generate conversation with your child as he ponders what adult aside the family he would like to know better, and why. Also, ask who he could go to if he had a tough question that he didn’t want to discuss with you.

Parents cannot “be there” for their children one hundred percent of the time. Helping our young people identify other trusted and caring adults is an important step for us to take. It is a step that helps our children feel more secure and supported.

Other Adult Relationship is Asset No. 3 of the 40 Assets. To learn about building assets with children and youth, please visit the Youth Count Web site at www.youthcount.com

Bridgwater may be reached at 812- 923-1160 or by e-mail at barbara@youthcount.com.