Research on positive psychology indicates that spiritual strengths can be important in helping individuals overcome crisis and loss. Encounters with difficult challenges of life inspire people to think more deeply about their spiritual and religious beliefs and the meaning of life. Spirituality, faith, and religious roots have been shown to be…

Children must be empowered to find their unique path to personal pride and respect. The concept of empowering youth is widely touted but often misunderstood and underutilized. Young people cannot fully develop their strengths and independence without being empowered to take charge of their lives. The polar opposite of coercion, empowerment is…

As caring adults in the lives of youth, many people are privileged to witness young people discover an aspect of themselves that gives them joy and energy, and propels them toward exploration and expression. When this aspect of their lives--their "spark"--is connected to people and places that encourage it, people also witness something amazing.…

In his classic book, "The Problem Child," Alfred Adler (1930) noted that if educators do not understand the "private logic" and goals of a young person, their interventions may do more harm than good. But it is not a natural process to empathize with persons who fight their well-intended efforts to help. Adults and young people are often pitted as…

There is a critical need to identify solutions to the unemployment of high school dropouts. When a student prematurely leaves school, the economic, social, and political impacts result in negative consequences for the individual and the community. Of the nearly 2.2 million students who drop out of high school every year in the United States,…

Whenever educators are asked to identify the major problems they face, behavior management is near the top of the list. Research shows that effective teachers are able to build relationships with students and implement well-developed classroom procedures (Holt, Hargrove, & Harris, 2011, p. 18). Yet schools give scant attention to developing…

Arnold P. Goldstein served for over 30 years at Syracuse University where he directed the Center for Research on Aggression. His model of Aggression Replacement Training (ART) was enriched by diverse perspectives of many colleagues. This article highlights the ideas of three persons who strongly influenced Goldstein's work, namely, Jerome Frank,…

As many as 9 in 10 justice-involved youth are affected by traumatic childhood experiences. According to "Healing Invisible Wounds: Why Investing in Trauma-Informed Care for Children Makes Sense," between 75 and 93 percent of youth currently incarcerated in the justice system have had at least one traumatic experience, including sexual…

Violence in a mid-sized Midwestern city became the focus of national headlines recently, when a group of youth were charged in a fatal beating. The author reflects on how this tragic incident reminds us of the critical importance of community, and how community bonds can become fractured. (Author)

A tape recorder became a tool for understanding the inner worlds of troubled youth. This is an account of an attempt to create dialogue with youth through recorded interviews. The author discusses the challenges of engaging young persons in a circle of trust. (Author)

Article contains excerpts of remarks made by a family court judge in Michigan upon sentencing a 13-year-old male for a murder he committed at age 11. Testimonies state that the adult prison system is not designed for youth, and has few treatment alternatives for them. A commitment to prevent future criminal behavior in youth will take collective…

A leader in the education of troubled children identifies issues for the future. They include: (1) recognizing emotional and behavior disorders as a disability; (2) enhancing multicultural education with knowledge about commonalties; and (3) basing practices on scientific knowledge. Proposes organizing professional practice around the Circle of…

Article challenges the prevailing political and public attitudes about locking up children who hate in juvenile facilities. Three promising reforms are discussed: information-networking systems that facilitate coordination of services among juvenile justice stakeholders; alternatives to detention programs; and Multisystemic Therapy. A…

Discusses how service learning can play an integral role in reclaiming youth. Advocates service learning as an effective part of the reclaiming process because it engages a variety of senses and makes learning more accessible for students with different learning styles. (GCP)

All too often, one behavioral intervention is used universally to handle a variety of problem behaviors, regardless of the function of the misbehavior. This article describes how a functional assessment of behavior can be used to identify the purpose of misbehaviors and plan effective behavioral interventions. (Author)