Developing Capable Young People

Policies of the past 20 years have failed to reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancy, school dropout, or substance abuse among United States youths. It is argued that this failure has been due, in part, to a narrow conceptualization of prevention and an unduly negative view of the adolescent stage of development. A policy framework and an agenda are outlined that focus not on preventing seemingly separate social problems but on developing healthy and capable young people with critical thinking skills, a sense of purpose, economic opportunities, high expectations, and significant social support. It is argued that this approach has a greater chance than previous efforts to reduce or prevent many social problems among children and youths.