A reoccurring concept in many of the materials I have been reading refers to the “Five C’s” of Youth Development. There are a few variations, some with fewer C’s but they basically cover the qualities that result from successful and positive youth development. The five “C’s” are competence, character, connections, confidence, and contribution.
Successfully achieving the first four results in the fifth, contribution, which is the ultimate aim of our study. Identifying the most successful means of encouraging youth to contribute to their communities. By breaking each of the five down and exploring the meaning and variables needed to achieve each “C” we develop a better understanding of youth development.
Competence- developing skills and resources for choosing healthy options over risky ones. Character- a sense of responsibility and knowing and choosing to do what is just, right, and good. Connections- the importance of developing strong relationships with peers and especially adults. Confidence-having a positive identity. Contribution- giving back to the community.
Together they can provide a helpful framework for organizing an in-depth study of youth development. It is important to note that development is a process not a goal. It is a continuous and involves hundreds of variables. We are interested in aiding the process to produce engaged citizens. However, in order to aid the process we must first identify those areas that can be supported by service.
Interested in Reading more? Check out these sources:
Hamilton, S. F., & Hamilton, M. A. (2004). The youth development handbook coming of age in American communities. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Gambone, M.A., A.M. Klem, and J.P. Cornell. (2002) Finding out what matters for youth: Testing key links in a community action framework for youth development. Philadelphia: Youth Development Strategies.
Nicholson, Heather Johnston, Collins, Christiopher, & Holmer Heidi. (Jan.,2004)Youth as People: The Protective Aspects of Youth Development in After-School Settings. Annuals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 591, pp.55-71.
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You can use the 'Five Cs' to seque to Robert Moses' Radical Equations.
Key points from Moses:
'culture of change and innovation'
'crawl space as space to develop'
'youth development, activism, and community leadership'
'Pedagogy: The Experience of Teachers and Students -- experience as social construction. Social construction derives from pragmatism'
'Teaching/learning mostly about conversations/talk'
'the books four Cs of youth development found in Young Peoples Project: confidence, courage, commitment, competence'
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