As young people become discouraged they begin to form the impression that the normal tasks of social living are too difficult. With caring and encouraging adults to guide them young people can develop a style of living that is courageous and creative. They find thier place in the world and make thier unique contribution to the community. Without such adults young people are left to navigate a increasing complex global society without the preparation to develop a creative style of living.
Over the years, mental health and other professionals have developed a problem centered view of young people. This view labels young people n various ways: learning disabled, attention deficit disorder, drug user, underachiever, emotionally disturbed, and so on. Such categorizing young people can be useful in getting kids into some sort of treatment. However, a young person already discourged about their appearances, abilities, social standing, and psychological maturity may not find this process ideal.
Now, in addition to their particular discouragement, they have a label that "explains" thier problem. Often the label serve to further dscourage them in their facing the tasks of living.
We need an alternative to this problem centered view. We need to restore the family as the best place to promote emotional belonging, foster resilence, promote competence, enocurage self-direction, develop courage, create an optimistic view of life, and an interest in contributing to the commonweal.
It is this alternative view that this section of my Blog is committed to.