40 Developmental Assets
The 40 Assets | Research | Community Data | Asset Building IdeasThe 40 Assets
The 40 Developmental Assets were developed by the Search Institute, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Search Institute works to promote the well-being of children and adolescents throughout the nation. Since 1989, the Search Institute has been studying the role of Developmental Assets and their effect on the healthy growth and development of young people in communities around the country.
The list of the 40 Developmental Assets grew out of much reading, thinking, and discussion about what young people need to succeed. Once the list was made, researchers compiled a list of studies that support the choices of these assets. In addition, researchers constructed a survey that measures the number of assets in young people's lives, and found that the more assets young people have, the better off they seemed to be. Essentially, these 40 Developmental Assets are building blocks that young people need to grow up healthy, caring and productive citizens.
The 40 Developmental Assets are divided into two categories by their function - external and internal assets. In each asset category the assets are organized by asset type.
External assets are positive factors in the environment that provide structure and support for youth. They are relationships and opportunities that young people experience in their families, schools and communities.
Internal assets are commitments, values, competencies, and self-perceptions that provide a positive inner guide for young people. They are competencies and values that youth develop internally to guide behaviors and choices.
External Resources
(Click here to view the 40 Developmental Assets in Spanish -- Traducir en Español)Family Support
Family life provides high levels of love and support. ACTION TIPSPositive Family Communication
Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advise and counsel from parents. ACTION TIPSOther Adult Relationships
Young person receives support from three or more non-parent adults. ACTION TIPSCaring Neighborhood
Young person experiences caring neighbors. ACTION TIPSCaring School Climate
School provides caring, encouraging environment. ACTION TIPSParent Involvement in Schooling
Parent(s) are actively involved in helping the child succeed in school. ACTION TIPSCommunity Values Youth
Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth. ACTION TIPSYouth as Resources
Young people are given useful roles in the community. ACTION TIPSService to Others
Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week. ACTION TIPSSafety
Young person feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood. ACTION TIPSFamily Boundries
Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person's whereabouts. ACTION TIPSSchool Boundries
School provides clear rules and consequences. ACTION TIPSNeighborhood Boundries
Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people's behavior. ACTION TIPSAdult Role Models
Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior. ACTION TIPSPositive Peer Influence
Young person's best friends model responsible behavior. ACTION TIPSHigh Expectations
Some text explaining the asset. ACTION TIPSCreative Activities
Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice of music, theater, or other arts. ACTION TIPSYouth Programs
Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school or in community organizations. ACTION TIPSReligious Community
Young person spends one hour or more per week in activities in a religious institution. ACTION TIPSTime at Home
Young person is out with friends "with nothing special to do" two or fewer nights per week. ACTION TIPSAchievement Motivation
Young person is motivated to do well in school. ACTION TIPSSchool Engagement
Young person is actively engaged in learning. ACTION TIPSHomework
Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day. ACTION TIPSBonding to School
Young person cares about her or his school. ACTION TIPSReading for Pleasure
Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week. ACTION TIPSCaring
Young person places a high value on helping other people. ACTION TIPSEquality and Social Justice
Young person places a high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty. ACTION TIPSIntegrity
Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs. ACTION TIPSHonesty
Young person tells the truth even when it's not easy. ACTION TIPSResponsibility
Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility. ACTION TIPSRestraint
The young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs. ACTION TIPSPlanning and Decision Making
Young person knows how to plan ahead and to make choices. ACTION TIPSInterpersonal Competence
Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills. ACTION TIPSCultural Competence
Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. ACTION TIPSResistance Skills
Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations. ACTION TIPSPeaceful Conflict Resolution
Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently. ACTION TIPSPersonal Power
Young person feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me". ACTION TIPSSelf-Esteem
Young person reports having high self-esteem. ACTION TIPSSense of Purpose
Young person reports that "my life has a purpose." ACTION TIPSPositive View of Personal Future
Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future. ACTION TIPS
