Building Respectful Alliances
Children weakly bonded to adults are dependent on peers for approval and may reinforce one another's problem behavior. Serious research on countering negative peer influence began a half-century ago as Ashley Weeks of New York University studied the Highfields project for delinquent youth. There is now clear evidence that, to reverse negative climates, adults and youth must form respectful alliances and work together to solve problems. This results in positive peer cultures where conflict is replaced by cooperation and helping.
Roots and Wings
Pioneers in reclaiming youth challenged pessimistic "deficit" models by focusing on strength and resilience. Democratic values inspired them to create respectful environments for education, treatment, and positive youth development. This legacy is now at the leading edge of science and practice. This issue dedicated to the memory of a pioneer in work with troubled children, William C. Morse of the University of Michigan. It is published in concert with the first North American Roots and Wings conference to be held in September 2008 at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
From Trauma to Trust
A host of emotional and behavioral problems in children result from complex trauma. Abuse, neglect, violence, and loss disrupt secure bonds leading to terror and utter helplessness. The current diagnostic category of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) does not fit traumatized children whose core problem is a lack of emotional self-regulation. They show a range of symptoms including anxiety, fear, guilt, depression, attention deficits, and oppositional or conduct problems. They are alert to cues of rejection and inadvertently re-enact past pain.
Controls from Within
In the classic book Controls from Within, Fritz Redl and David Wineman described methods to help children internalize self-control through structure, expectations, and engagement with positive adults and activities. When problems occur, these become opportunities for learning and growth. But many programs still focus on enforcing rules instead of building controls from within. Zero tolerance in schools, point/level behavior modification in group settings, and mandatory sanctions in juvenile justice provide ritualized behavior management but work against genuine behavior change.
Positive Psychology and Pro-Social Groups
For decades, psychology narrowly focused on deviance, deficit, and disorder. Now a new paradigm is emerging as heralded in Character Strengths and Virtues by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman. This issue highlights recent research in positive psychology and draws on earlier studies of pro-social groups and resilience science. Guest editor is Erik Laursen of the Academy for Positive Peer Culture.
Art and Action
A century ago, John Dewey and Maria Montessori showed that children thrive in environments rich with activity and problem solving. Communities must tap the youthful “spirit of adventure” declared delinquency pioneer Jane Addams. Creativity is an “antidote to aggression” noted Sylvia Ashton Warner. But modern youth are deprived of these experiences which are essential to cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth. Sedentary lifestyles replace explorative activity which builds self-control and social competence.
On the Road to Responsibility
Approaches to challenging youth are being transformed by an impressive body of knowledge about resilience, the human capacity to surmount adversity and thrive. The Circle of Courage synthesizes this research into four universal needs: attachment, achievement, autonomy, and altruism. This new paradigm is providing a blueprint for building strengths in all children and youth. This special issue explores practical applications of this research to education, treatment, juvenile justice, and positive youth development.
The Resilience Revolution
Approaches to challenging youth are being transformed by an impressive body of knowledge about resilience, the human capacity to surmount adversity and thrive. The Circle of Courage synthesizes this research into four universal needs: attachment, achievement, autonomy, and altruism. This new paradigm is providing a blueprint for building strengths in all children and youth. This special issue explores practical applications of this research to education, treatment, juvenile justice, and positive youth development.
