CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The chapter explores the significance of communities in the development of a child, adolescent and youth.As a community includes a person’s family, peers, neighborhoodand more, this chapter focuses onits importance in providing the way for the growth of itschildren, adolescents and youths and creating a safe space. They are one of the means of raising responsible and empathetic individuals. While communities have positive aspects, there are some inevitable negative aspects too which are discussed briefly. Two theories namely Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory andSense of Community theory,supporting the influence of community in the lives of children are discussed. These theories talk about the interplay of individuals and their environment. The chapter explores a few interventions that can be undertaken to improve the contribution of community and provide opportunities for the growth of its children, adolescents and youths.