SUGGESTIONS FOR BUILDING ASSETS

Asset # 39- Sense of Purpose

(Young people believe that their life has a purpose)

To Build Asset # 39 Parents and Extended Family Can . . .

* Remind your children often that they were created for a reason and have a purpose to fulfill.

* Speak often of the future, and of the ways your children can brighten it. Have them share their own personal goals often.

* Talk with your child about his or her career plans. Support your children's chosen direction in life, even if it isn't one you might have had in mind. If they chose it with care, it isn't up to parents to be bursting bubbles.

* Give your children roles in family activities, celebrations, and major decisions. This shows them that they are important contributors to the family system.

* Discuss current events with your children, and talk about ways we each can help solve the problems of the day.

* Do not meter out love based on a child's performance. Be firm, stern, but kind. Love your child no matter what.

***************************************************************************************************

 55% of youth surveyed by Search Institute have this asset in their lives.*

*Based on Search Institute surveys of almost 100,000 6th to 12th grade youth throughout the United States

***************************************************************************************************

Does your life have a purpose? Do you feel that you've influenced or saved someone's life? Do you feel like you've lived every day to the absolute fullest? Or do you go through your days just waiting for bedtime to come and then your alarm goes off and you do it all over again?

We encourage you to get to know a student or teenager. Talk to them, listen to them, learn about their interests and goals in life. Learn what they do in their spare time. What are their hobbies? What is their favorite sport? Do they enjoy ice cream? During these exchanges you'll probably learn whether the youth feels that their life has purpose. You can be a role model to a teenager. They can watch you and learn from you.

What are you doing in the lives of teenagers in your community?