The Importance of Resiliency
The ability to bounce back from hard-knocks is a sign of positive youth development
In today's times, youth are facing a whole host of experiences with the potential to traumatize and stunt positive youth development. Resiliency is the key for combat.
Resiliency is the ability to recuperate from a traumatic or difficult experience. The ability to be resilient is often an indicator of future success as an adult. When you are able to come through hard times feeling wiser and stronger rather defeated, beat-down, hopeless and depressed, you are more apt to view struggle as something that can be defeated. It is no longer something that defeats.
As guns in schools, drive-by shootings, war and terrorism become emblazoned on our tv screens and witnessed in our neighborhoods, it is no surprise that some young people are having a more difficult time to maintain resiliency. As parents and youth workers, it is key to provide supports that allow youth recognize that challenges can be overcome and are usually temporary. Successful supports enable young people to address their feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness and fear while engaging them in practical ways to create solutions and effective responses.
Dr. Edith Grotberg describes the three components of resiliency being the belief that : I Have supports in place in case I need them, I Am someone worthy of support, I Can support myself and get through if necessary. In order to successfully aid a young person in their resiliency development, make sure that your goals include these affirmations.
Visit Resiliency.com for more resources on how to help young people develop their own powers of resiliency.
