In this book, Peter Benson introduces forty developmental assets – building blocks of healthy development.  These assets – such as family support, intergenerational relationships, clear and consistent boundaries and expectations, participation in constructive activities, and community focus on values – are essential for all youth regardless of background.  To increase assets among all kids, the Benson provides a new evidence, cases, and recommendations for individual, family, and community action. 

This book demonstrates that building these developmental assets is critical for communities and society.  When young people experience more of these assets, many forms of high-risk behavior sharply decline, including alcohol and other drug use, too-early sexual activity, violence and school failure.  And just as significantly, increasing a young person’s developmental assets enhances the competencies and skills unnecessary for healthy adulthood.