The Five Cs of Positive Youth Development in an Aotearoa/New Zealand Program Context

Jayne Mercier,Georgina Langdon-Pole,Jacqui Hampton,Catherine Powell,Karen Hicks,Daleki (Fole) Finau,Louise Bourchier

doi:10.5195/jyd.2019.774

Abstract

This study took a qualitative look at an Aotearoa/New Zealand-based positive youth development outdoor-education program in schools using the 5 Cs model of positive youth development. The viewpoints of young people, parents, and teachers were gathered, providing an opportunity to explore additional perspectives of the 5 Cs. All 5 Cs were seen to be present in the program and the 6th C of contribution was also observed. The Cs of competence, confidence and connection featured strongly, whilst the C of connection appeared to be important to young people’s experience of the program. Young people and adults prioritized different outcomes, with adults focusing more on future impacts and young people identifying more immediate benefits. The findings of this study add to an understanding of the 5 Cs model beyond the American context and highlight areas for future research.

Highlights

Supporting youth and preparing them for adulthood is a key focus for governments, policies and programs (Lerner et al, 2018)
Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an approach to supporting youth, which believes that all young people can develop positively and provides avenues for this to occur (Benson, Scales, Hamilton, & Sesma 2007)
The Five Cs are viewed as indicators of thriving (King et al, 2005) and the desired goals and outcomes of PYD programs (Lerner, Fisher & Weinberg, 2000; Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2003), they can be seen as a theory of development and an approach to programs

Summary

Introduction

Supporting youth and preparing them for adulthood is a key focus for governments, policies and programs (Lerner et al, 2018). Youth programs are seen as a key vehicle to facilitate PYD (Lerner, Lerner, et al, 2005; Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2016). Programs taking this approach broadly include skill building opportunities, positive relationships and opportunities for leadership and empowerment (Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2016). The Five Cs are viewed as indicators of thriving (King et al, 2005) and the desired goals and outcomes of PYD programs (Lerner, Fisher & Weinberg, 2000; Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2003), they can be seen as a theory of development and an approach to programs

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion