Why Kids Make Positive Choices

There were over 30 million young people in the United States between the ages of 9 and 17 in 1995. According to 1995 statistics, 1,714,300 million of juveniles were referred to courts and of that number, 148,900 were placed in holding facilities.

2. The majority of kids appearing in court do not return for a second time. However, 69,075 youths were in public juvenile correctional institutions and 39,671 were in private facilities.

3. According to these statistics, less than 2% of our kids are referred to court, less than one-half of one percent are in holding facilities and less than one-third of one percent were in public and private correctional institutions.

Yet the bulk of research and media coverage focuses on less than 2% of people who make choices NOT to live within the legal and moral standards of society.

Most young people do well in the home, school and community settings and are productive and responsible citizens. Listed below are factors found in children who make positive choices and good decisions.

Children tend to make positive choices when they:

Are willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s). Receive support from 3 or more significant other adults. Perceive that adults in the community value youth. Are given useful roles in the community.

Serve in the community one hour or more per week. Feel safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood. Spend 3 or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts. Spend 3 or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and or in the community.

Spend one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution. Are out with friends “with nothing special to do” 2 or fewer nights per week. Are motivated to do well in school. Are actively engaged in learning. Report doing at least one hour of homework every school day.

Care about their school. Read for pleasure 3 or more hours per week. Place a high value on helping other people. Place high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty. Act on convictions and stand up for their beliefs.

Accept personal responsibility. Believe it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs. Know how to plan ahead and make choices. Have empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills. Have knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds. Can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.

Seek to resolve conflict nonviolently. Feel they have control over things that happen to them. Report having a high self-esteem. Report that their life has a purpose. Are optimistic about their personal future.

Children also tend to make positive choices when:

Family life provides high levels of love and support. School provides a caring, encouraging environment. Parents are actively involved in helping them succeed in school.

Their families have clear rules and consequences and monitors their whereabouts. Their school provides clear rules and consequences. Their neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.

Their-parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior. Their best friends model responsible behavior. Parent(s) and teachers encourage them to do well.

In addition to the factor’s identified above, the following represent a condensation of research based on why young people say they don’t make many negative, delinquent choices.

“I’ll get in trouble”. A statement revealing the fear of consequences. 

“It’s stupid”. A statement revealing a value judgement.

“I’ve got better things to do”. A statement revealing a value judgement.

“It’s a waste of time”. A statement revealing a value judgement.

“It’s wrong”. A statement revealing a value judgement on character and integrity.

As noted previously, although the vast majority of children and adolescents are generally responsible and productive, the bulk of research and media coverage focuses on the less than the 2% of young people who make choices NOT to live within the legal and moral standards of society.