In these modern times urban children and youth are far too often negatively influenced and affected by factors in their community. Professionals and volunteers working with young people are frequently challenged by the negative influences. Historically, positive youth development methods and practices have been implemented in urban communities via the nuclear and extended family and through such institutions and organizations as block clubs, churches, recreational clubs, agencies and leagues and others. Today street culture is increasingly dominant, frequently supplanting the values learned by children and youth through traditional methods and programs.

For the past three decades street culture has become more dominant, its tentacles digging ever deeper into mainstream society as Madison Avenue and big business frequently embrace its “flava” for commercial appeal. In urban communities the rapid evolution of street culture has created a widespread negative impact on children and young people. The normalization of ignorance and violence are the most obvious and detrimental elements affecting urban (and other) communities, and nowhere is this more apparent than with the children and youth. One area that lures most young people is play and recreation and therefore it is of paramount importance that the vehicles of sports and recreation be utilized to positively influence young people and also to counteract the negative influences of street culture.

In order to affectively do this those individuals working with children and young people in recreation and sports programs must understand the dynamics of street culture and how it now impacts and influences every aspect of working with children and youth. It is also important to note that in these modern times there can be an element of danger in working with people of all ages, it is therefore critical that the professional and volunteer alike be ever vigilant while working. Far too frequently, people young and old will choose to resort to violence when they are angry or dissatisfied. This model and other training materials will address some methods for dealing with violent situations and scenarios but nothing replaces common sense, vigilance and attentiveness to potentially volatile situations.

Positive Youth Development – What is it? Positive Youth Development has existed in one form or another in all American communities throughout the history of the nation. In more recent years the need to better understand child, and in particular adolescent development has lead to significant bodies of academic and scientific research and analysis regarding the early years of human development. The recognition of the need for positive support mechanisms for children and youth ultimately lead to serious study within the academic/scientific community and thus the formal philosophy and doctrine of positive youth development was established.