KJ Taylor

Theory of Youth Development

REC 482
Youth development is a one of the most expanding topics when considering what all
plays into it. You can not merely just consider factor 1, factor 2, and factor 3 and support that
they are the only things that effect the development of youth and adolescents. The topic digs
deeper and expands into other many areas. Youth development is like a spider web that
continually changes and connects in many different ways. The main goal of a spider web is to
sustain life by creating a home, catching food, and accommodating other needs. Each
connecting strand has an effect on how the web performs. In this same way, youth development
has very many, and unlimited topics/factors that intertwine and create a larger outcome or goal.
Each strand represents a factor that effects and contributes to the development of adolescents.
For example, family and friends, school setting, and family background all connect and create a
small portion of the development of a youth. My theory on youth development is that is always
changing, intertwined, and evolving. New experiences (negative or positive), changing family
structures, and public views will always be contributing factors that effect youth.
There are many areas I could discuss to convey my perception of youth development, but
this paper would go on and on. I will discuss what I think is most important and how it can make
a huge impact on adolescents. One of the main readings that we had in class caught my attention
and I found myself having a connection with. The writing from the Wiley Online library,
Positive Youth Development within a Family Leisure Context: Youth Perspectives of Family
Outcomes explains and supports parental influence and family involvement and the role it plays
in youth development. I connected to this reading because it is exactly what I want to do after
graduation. Family is and has been a huge impact in my life. Growing up, my family structure

was far from normal or the socially accepted. My mother was divorced and raised five children
on her own. The father was not involved and was absent from our childhood. Even under the
circumstances she strived to build the family on morals, unconditional love, and support. She
spent an enormous amount of personal time with my siblings and I, and was very engaging in the
home setting. We still are all very involved with each other and practice the importance of family
time. The reading also discussed the core and balance model. Core, or also known as less
organized, low-cost activities are different than balance activities. Balance activities are out of
the ordinary, not home-based and would be like a vacation. What was very interesting was that
the core activities made a larger impact on youth, due to the common, regular involvement.
Some examples of core activities are reading a book before bedtime, eating dinner together, or
exploring the yard. The accessibility and normality of the core activities are more likely to
happen more often. This results in a more valuable outcome to family life.
Knowing personally how important family is, I have been inspired to be a camp director
for a family camp/retreat. Parents are often excluded from programs involving youth. Parents can
actually be a huge contributing factor. Involvement can foster relationships with the opportunity
for the family as a whole. My dream is to create and direct a summer camp/spring retreat/fall
retreat for children and their families. Involving low-income families, those struggling with
addictions, and any other life circumstance that may be separating the family. For me, the
outdoors and adventures were a supportive element in my family. We built trust, wholeness, and
connections through our experiences outdoors. I want to be able to give families an escape from
their day-to day lives and bring them back together as a unit. My goal is to eliminate or reverse
negative behaviors and aid families to reach their full potential by exposing them to skill/team
building activities, new challenges, and outdoor therapy. I truly believe that the outdoors can do

miraculous things. I cherish what recreation gave me and my family, and I want to give that back
to those in need.
Another factor that I believe plays a role in youth development is opportunities. Coming
from an involved family in 4H, FFA, and other local organizations, I have been very fortunate to
of had the experiences I did. I attended summer camps, played sports, involved in school
programs, and numerous volunteer hours. This has made me who I am. Having the opportunities
in my local community opened doors and made me realize what I wanted to do as a career.
Engaging youth within programs can result in positive behaviors and habits. Exposure to
different settings, situations, and challenges can produce a contributing individual.
Family and opportunities are not the only factors that play a role into youth development,
but I believe these two made a huge impact on my life. My theory on youth development will
forever change and evolve the older I get and the fact that I am a mother now. I think with age
and understanding comes a better knowledge on developing adolescents. I have learned a lot
from being my mothers child, but I feel I can gain a different angle of understanding raising my
son. Keeping an open mind and willingness to change will help continue the growth of my
theory of youth development.
Citation:
Ward, P., Zabriskie, R. (2011).
Positive youth development within a family leisure context: youth perspectives of family
outcomes.
Wiley Online Library, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.