Celebrating Youth

Celebrating Youth Uncovering those things which help prepare youth for life and its challenges. Resiliency-based Research conducted by: Hope Enterprises Ltd. On behalf of the CHANGE Project/RFSO funded by USAID

Highlights of an Adolescent Assets-Based Survey Conducted in Clarendon, Jamaica Fieldwork: July/August, 2001 Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

A partnership….. This survey is a collaborative effort spearheaded by: The CHANGE project of Washington with local partners - Rural Family Support Organization - Hope Enterprises Ltd - The Clarendon Community Survey made possible by funding provided by USAID Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Sample: - 1025 young adults, 12-16 years interviewed - sample drawn from 20 communities in Clarendon - cluster sampling approach used - trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with each person - data collected using a structured questionnaire Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

The Instrument: The instrument was developed to address three main issues: - the measurement of resilience or development assets - prevalence of health risk behaviours - assessment and use of health services in Clarendon Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Important environments in a child’s life: School Home Friends Community Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Things which help prepare youth for life & its challenges. -Caring relationships: Relationships that assure you that there is someone there for you, who is interested in you, listens to you and talks to you. -High expectations: Having others in your life who assure you that they know you can make it, you have everything it takes and they’ll be there for you. -Opportunities for Meaningful Participation: Participation in activities that offer opportunities that give youth responsibility and a chance to contribute. Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

When we compared the answers of those young people who had begun to have sex, were aggressive, or had thought about suicide etc. with those who had not, we found the following: Those who were able to abstain from sex were those who: - had people at home, as well as some friends, who they knew cared about them, who listened to them and who talked to them. -had the opportunity for participating in activitiesthat gave them responsibility and a chance to contribute at home and in the community. - those who were sexually active and were protecting themselves by using contraceptives were shown to be very involved in activities and decision-making in the home Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Comparison of different groups (cont’d) Those who were happy with their lives, who did not feel hopeless and who did not feel like killing themselves were those who: - had people who cared about them, listened to them and talked to them at home, at school, in the community as well as among their friends -were aware that much was expected of them from those at home, school, in the community and among their friends - were very involved in activities and decision-making at home, at school, in the community. Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Comparison of different groups (cont’d) Those who were not aggressive, for example, those youngsters who did not feel like hurting or killing someone, who did not walk with a knife or other weapon, or who did not get into fights were those who: - enjoyed a high level of caringrelationships at home, school and in the community -were aware that much was expected of them from those at home, school, in the community and among their friends - were very involved at home, at school in the community Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

The Individual -Young people who demonstrate certain strengths are also better able to face life’s challenges • Young people whoknow and understand themselvesand • young people whounderstand and care about others, will • be less likely to start sex early • Young people whohave good problem-solving skillsandknow • and understand themselves are less likely to behave aggressively • and carry weapons. • Young people whobelieve theyhave the power to make a • difference, feel empowered andknow and understand themselves • are less likely to be depressed Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

The Individual (cont’d) • Young people who: • communicate and work well with others • understand themselves and others • have good problem solving skills • have high goals and aspirations • will be less likely to think about hurting or killing another person Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Caring Relationships • Early sexual activity • Depression HOME • at protect against SCHOOL • at protect against COMMUNITY • in the protect against FRIENDS • among protect against -Relationships that assure you that there is someone there for you, who is interested in you, listens to you and talks to you. • Depression • Aggression • Depression • Aggression • Depression • Aggression • Early sexual activity • Depression Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

High Expectations • Depression • Suicide • Aggression HOME • at protect against SCHOOL • Depression • Aggression • at protect against COMMUNITY • Depression • Aggression • in the protect against FRIENDS • among protect against • Depression -Having others in your life who assure you that they know you can make it, you have everything it takes and they’ll be there for you. Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Opportunities for Meaningful Participation • Early Sex • Unprotected sex • Aggression HOME • at protect against • Depression • Suicide SCHOOL • at protect against • Depression • Aggression COMMUNITY • Early Sex • Depression • Aggression • in the protect against -Participating in activities that offer opportunities that give youth responsibility and a chance to contribute. Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

The assets relate to each other…. Caring relationships: High expectations: Opportunities for meaningful participation: result…. A child who knows that others truly care about them, supports them and believes in them and is empowered with a sense of control and ownership over their life Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

IF ….…. • As Youth we have Caring relationships in the home, school and community • Our friends provide us with caring relationships • We know that people believe in us and expect much from us • We are given opportunities to participate in activities which give us responsibility and allow us to contribute We will be better able to successfully cope with life and all its challenges Source: Clarendon Resiliency-based Research Fieldwork conducted July/August 2001

Celebrating Youth