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Extension Report
Baldwin County Office
302A Byrne Street
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Cynthia G. Knowlton
Regional Extension Agent
4-H & Youth Development
July 8, 2008
Nurturing the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health of Today’s Youth
What do Faith Hill, Julia Roberts, Al Gore, David Letterman and Hershel Walker have in common? Each is an American icon. Each is known to be a consummate professional. Each of them was active in 4-H when they were growing up.
Over the years, 4-H has provided millions of youth with opportunities to develop their leadership, citizenship and life skills that have helped them become community leaders, successful professionals, astronauts, entertainers, professional athletes- whatever they dreamed. Now, findings from a recent study led by Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D., professor at Tufts University confirm that young people in 4-H Youth Development programs do better than their non-4-H peers. Youth involved in 4-H experience high levels of positive youth development (PYD); are more likely to contribute to themselves, their families, and their communities; and are good citizens. PYD is a strength-based perspective of adolescence that emphasizes the potential for youth to successfully grow into mature adults.
The study, which was sponsored by National 4-H Council in Washington D.C., is the first-ever longitudinal study to measure the characteristics of PYD. It involved more than 4,000 youth and 2,000 parents from 25 states and measures the impact personal and social factors have on a young person’s development. Overall, study researchers are finding that involvement in 4-H makes a difference. Participating in high-quality youth development programs like 4-H plays a critical role in helping young people achieve success.
"The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development confirms what we always have believed to be true; 4-H in the community contributes to a stronger community,” says Donald Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “New information about positive youth development provided by this study will ensure that 4-H continues to support young people’s growth into successful, contributing members of their communities.” According to Karen Engelman, a local 4-H Club Leader in Foley, “In the year and a half since our club began, I’ve seen our members develop leadership skills, tackle previous unknown subject areas, and stretch themselves in tasks they didn’t think they could handle, yet went on to master.”
With The 4-H Study of PYD, the characteristics of a successful youth development program are being defined and measured for the first time. The study’s key findings show that:
-Community youth development programs, like 4-H, are proven to affect youth success.
-All youth can succeed- involvement in 4-H increases their potential of doing well.
-All youth need positive youth development. No young person is immune to the risks and challenges present in today’s society.
-Involvement in youth development programs reduces the likelihood that young people will engage in risk behaviors, such as underage drinking, smoking, bullying, etc.
-4-H develops youth who are leaders, contribute to their communities and are civically engaged.
-Youth in 4-H programs develop confidence and leadership skills where they learn what they like, are able to make choices, be leaders and have their voices heard.
-Civically engaged youth are more inclined to volunteer; participate in school and community activities; speak against inequality and for social justice; stand up to bullies; and trust adults, friends and the community.
4-H is a community of more than 6.5 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. 4-H is a great volunteer opportunity that fits your interests, skills and time available with the needs of youth in your community. Contact the Baldwin County Extension Office today for more information.
Email address: cknowlto@aces.edu
Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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