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TIPS For Families |
Written by: Maria de Guzman,
PhD, Adolescent Development Extension Specialist, University
of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 'Prosocial behaviors’
are acts intended to benefit others, like volunteerism. Despite the
negative stereotypes many have about adolescents (think ‘rebel without
a cause’), most teens are actually well adjusted and happy. Additionally,
many teens go beyond resisting negative behaviors by exhibiting prosocial
actions to help others and engaging in volunteer work. In fact, more
youth are involved in volunteer work (59%) as compared to adults (49%). Of course volunteerism
and prosocial behaviors do not emerge by chance. Parents can play a big role
in helping youth towards the path of volunteerism and concern for the greater
good. Here are some of them. ·
Parents as role models. We’ve all heard it before
– parents teach by doing and showing. Research shows that parents serve as
strong role models for acting positively towards others. Youth who show exemplary
and prosocial behaviors often have adult models that do the same. ·
Directly encourage positive action. It is essential
that even very early on, youth are directly encouraged and rewarded
for being respectful towards others, kind, helpful, and responsive to the
needs of the unfortunate. We cannot expect our youth to be mind readers –
these expectations need to be communicated directly. Parents
also need to point out SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS (“baby steps”) in addition to communicating
broad expectations. It is not enough to say “we should be helpful”, we need
to encourage specific instances. If you are out in the yard and a neighbor
is pulling groceries out of their car, you might encourage your child (and
do it yourself, too) to go and help. If your child does something helpful
(e.g., shares a sandwich) –compliment that specific behavior. ·
Provide opportunities for positive action. Finally,
we often forget that regardless of the desire to act in a positive manner,
if there are no opportunities to do so, your teen will not. As parents, we
need to help facilitate opportunities – provide information on how they might
get involved, support their efforts, help them find time, and help them find
ways to get involved. How will you encourage
positive and prosocial action in your kids this week? If you wish to
leave feedback about this TIPS for Families, click on the TIPS Feedback
Form at the bottom of this page. For more information on Parenting
go to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln publication website at www.ianrpub.unl.edu
and click on Families. Sources: Eisenberg,
N. & Fabes, R.A. (1998). Prosocial development. In W. Damon and E. Eisenberg
(Eds.) in Handbook of child psychology, 5th ed.: Vol 3. Social, emotional,
and personality development (pp. 701-778). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Facts and figures on
youth volunteering. http://www.ysa.org/nysd/statistics.html |
