Positive youth development (PYD) programs are designed to optimize youth developmental progress.[1] This is sought through a positivistic approach that emphasizes the inherent potential, strengths, and capabilities youth hold.[2][3] PYD differs from other approaches within youth development work in that it rejects an emphasis on trying to correct what is considered wrong with children's behavior or development, renouncing a problem-oriented lens.[2][4] Instead, it seeks to cultivate various personal assets and external contexts known to be important to human development.[5][6]
Youth development professionals live by the motto originally coined by Karen Pittman, "problem free is not fully prepared",[7] as they work to grow youth into productive members of society. Seen through a PYD lens, young people are not regarded as "problems to be solved"; rather, they are seen as assets, allies, and agents of change who have much to contribute in solving the problems that affect them most.[8] Programs and practitioners seek to empathize with, educate, and engage children in productive activities in order to help youth "reach their full potential".[9][6] Though the field is still growing, PYD has been used across the world to address social divisions, such as gender and ethnic differences.[10]
^Damon, William (January 2004). "What Is Positive Youth Development?". Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 591: 13–24. doi:10.1177/0002716203260092. S2CID145180802.