NCJ Number
128076
Journal
Future Choices Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1990) Pages: 61-65
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Young adolescents aged 10 to 15 need to be seen as a group in need of directed policies and programs and should receive a long-term commitment of policies, programs, and resources to programs that prevent future problems and develop healthy, capable youth.
Abstract
The last chance to prevent problems such as adolescent pregnancies, school dropouts, and substance abuse is in the ages from 10 to 15. More than 12 recent policy reports agree on the need for action in five areas: (1) reducing poverty, (2) making supports available to families with young adolescents, (3) improving schooling in the middle grades, (4) increasing the active promotion of adolescents' physical and mental health, and (5) increasing opportunities for young adolescents to connect with others and to have an impact on their communities. Needed programs include parent centers, parent buddy systems, home visiting aides, help with parents' continuing education, more school guidance counselors, efforts to attract and reward excellent teachers, better health screening and referrals, and community service experiences for youth. These efforts should take place over the long term, recognizing that the benefits will take place many years later.