24 Youth Risk Behaviors and the Correlation with Potential
The 24 youth risk behaviors is a topic I recently began to dig in to. One of my passion areas is to help parents discover methods to maximize the potential of their children. As a result, one of my mentors suggested I research an organization named the Search Institute. This organization is a gold mine of knowledge. Especially when it comes to these 24 youth risk behaviors.
The 24 youth risk behaviors are the leading behaviors that contribute to decreased motivation and achievement. Although not explicitly stated by the Search Institute, I believe risky behaviors also have an indirect correlation with potential. This simply means: less risky behaviors = more potential and more risky behaviors = less potential.
What’s more, according to the CDC many of these behaviors are also the leading causes of death and disability among youth. Therefore, parents must do whatever it takes to prevent their children from engaging in these 24 youth risk behaviors below.
The 24 youth risk behaviors
- Alcohol Use
- Binge drinking
- Marijuana Use
- Smokeless Tobacco Use
- Illegal drug use
- Driving while drinking
- Early sexual intercourse
- Vandalism
- Inhalants Use
- Smoking
- Shoplifting
- Using a weapon
- Eating disorder
- Skipping school
- Gambling
- Depression
- Getting into trouble with police
- Hitting another person
- Hurting another person
- Fighting in groups
- Carrying a weapon for protection
- Threatening to cause physical harm
- Attempted suicide
- Riding with an impaired driver
Obviously, the sooner you can begin protecting your child from these behaviors the better. Consequently, the Search Institute recommends parents start building a fortress around their children ASAP using their 40 developmental assets as a guide. In fact, their research shows that by increasing the developmental assets you can decrease the 24 youth risk behaviors. Furthermore, by increasing your support of these developmental assets, I believe you also are increasing the potential of your child.
With that said, I suggest all parent’s take a look at the 40 developmental assets and do a self-evaluation to see how your family, school, and community environments supports your child in each area.