High-Risk and Low-Risk Youth Characteristics

At risk youth
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McWhirter's "At risk youth: chapter 6- High-Risk and Low-Risk youth characteristics
Highlights
Resiliency
The book’s authors highlight on the issue of resiliency for the youth, where some are able to overcome difficult situations and develop normally. It is noteworthy that each child has a tipping point, but the ability to overcome stressful environments to function well and adapt characterizes the resilient youths (McWhirter et al., 2012). Resilience does not happen in a vacuum and the social environment contributes towards providing a resilient social support system. In other words, caring systems can compensate for the failings of one support system in the school, family or neighborhood. The social support system is associated with improving coping abilities to deal with stress
The social support system may extend to the wider community, but the youth who have close friends are more likely to have better coping mechanisms. At the same time, having adult mentors cannot be downplayed, since they play a vital role in the development of children (McWhirter et al., 2012). Even with a good social support network, the youth may face challenges if their coping skills are only applicable to certain subcultures. As such, the need to have high self-esteem is necessary for the youth to develop holistically. In any case, youth offenders are at a high risk of social and metal health problems, and if the social system is weak they are likely to be repeat offenders (Bliesener, ‎ 2012).
Connectedness
Connectedness, critical school competencies, concept of self, self esteem, self –efficacy, coping ability and control were identified as the factors distinguishing high risk and low risk youth. Connectedness and communication are closely related to each other, and those with poor social and communication skills are likely to feel isolated and alienated (McWhirter et al., 2012). This further highlights on the benefits of a support system, given that the feeling of connectedness provides social capital allowing the youth to learn better. Youths who suffer behavioral disruptions are likely to have a better sense of worth if they feel better connected.
The concept of connectedness is related to the experience of self while in relationship as a result of forming close bonds. At the same time, it invokes feelings of being worthy as a person to others (Bliesener, ‎ 2012).Besides communication, perspective taking which depends on how one is able to understand the feelings, thoughts and perceptions of others is another important factor that determines connectedness. As such, perspective thinking allows the youth to rely on empathy and emotional knowledge when relating with others, and this makes it likely that they will form fulfilling relationships.
Delay gratification/ self-control
Delaying gratification is relayed to the concept of self-control, as people learn at a young age to delay gratification depending on the circumstances, and the esse...