A new study confirms that youth involved in 4-H are leaders, contribute to their communities and are civically engaged, which strengthens communities. The Tufts’ 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD) has found that youth involved in high-quality, structured programs during out-of-school-time, such as those offered by Howard County 4-H, are more likely to experience PYD.
The Tufts’ study is a first-of-its-kind, longitudinal study measuring the impact personal and social factors have on youth as they develop. Findings reveal that all youth have the capacity to thrive, regardless of where they live, their family situations, their socioeconomic status, races and genders.
Study findings also show that quality and quantity matter when it comes to youth involvement in structured, out-of-school-time programs. The more often youth are involved in high-quality youth development programs, the more they and their communities benefit.
“We’re excited about this research and will be applying what we learn to Iowa 4-H,” said Chuck Morris, program director for Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development. “We want to ensure that our 4-H program continues to provide opportunities that will help our youth become successful, contributing members of their communities.”
The Tufts’ study further shows that, in order for youth to experience success, communities, families and schools need to provide access to programs such as 4-H as well as provide sustained adult interaction and mentoring.
With the Tufts’ 4-H Study of PYD, the characteristics of a successful youth development program are being defined and measured for the first time. The study’s key findings show that:
• Community youth development programs, like 4-H, are proven to affect youth success.
• All youth can succeed—involvement in 4-H increases their potential of doing well.
• All youth need positive youth development. No young person is immune to the risks and challenges present in today’s society.
• Involvement in youth development programs reduces the likelihood that young people will engage in risk behaviors, such as under-age drinking, smoking and bullying.
To learn more about 4-H in Howard County, visit Kids and Teens/4-H at www.extension.iastate.edu/howard or call 563-547-3001. Visit www.fourhcouncil.edu/newsroom.aspx to learn more about the Tufts’ 4-H Study of PYD.
The 4-H study was conducted by Tufts University and led by Richard M. Lerner. The study, sponsored by National 4-H Council, involved more than 4,000 youth and 2,000 parents from 25 states to measure the impact personal and social factors have on a young person’s development.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6.5 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit www.fourhcouncil.edu.