These same kids also say they do not feel safe in school
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children issues report on Risk & Protective Factors
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC), a nonprofit organization that provides policy recommendations based on research and analysis of children’s issues, today released a report on the conditions in teens’ lives that either expose them to danger or safeguard them from harm.
“Risk and Protective Factors of Pennsylvania’s Youth” shows that almost half of teens surveyed said they do not feel supported or safe in their school environments, while a third said they do not feel strong attachments to their parents.
The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS), conducted in 2003 by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, obtained data from a representative sample of 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in urban, rural, and suburban communities in every region of the state.
The PAYS survey queried students about “protective factors” in their lives - such as clear standards for behavior communicated by families, schools and communities – that buffer young people from risks and promote positive youth development and help smooth the journey from youth to adulthood. Fully 45 percent of students responded that they are not praised by teachers for good work, that their teachers do not tell parents about good work, and that they do not feel safe in school.
The PAYS survey also identified a number of “risk factors” - such as the availability of drugs and firearms – that are known to increase the likelihood that a student will engage in one or more problem behaviors.
“In order to have a successful transition from youth to adulthood, our young people need to feel safe at home and in school; they need to feel supported by the adults in their lives; and they ought to have hope and anticipation for what the future holds,” said Joan L. Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC).
“There must be an expectation by our young people that their parents, teachers and community members will encourage them and care about the choices they make.”
In the PAYS survey, 25 percent of teens reported that their parents do not express pride in their accomplishments, while one-third said they do not feel strong enough family attachments to share thoughts and feelings with parents. To help smooth the transition from youth to adulthood, PPC is dedicating resources to analyzing the conditions of teenagers in Pennsylvania; convening the Pennsylvania Ready By 21™ Coalition - comprised of key stakeholders from across the state - to develop and advance a public policy agenda; and reaching out to policymakers at the state and federal level to partner with PPC to improve chances that youth in PA will transition successfully to adulthood.
“Risk & Protective Factors” is the third in a series that looks at the lives of youth 12-21 in Pennsylvania. “Graduation Gap” was released in June, while “The State of Youth Employment” was published in August. The project is funded by The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the William Penn Foundation.
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is a strong, effective, and trusted voice for improving the health, education, and well-being of the Commonwealth’s children.
Visit us at http://www.papartnerships.org. More information may be obtained by contacting Kathy Geller Myers at 717-236-5680; kgmyers@papartnerships.org
