RETHINKING RISK HOW TO BUILD RESILIENCY AND REWARD

Research from Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) revealed that while many, if not most, adults equate risk-taking with negative behaviors such as bullying, alcohol and other drug use, and early, intimate sexual behavior, the majority of young people view risk in a positive light. Because children, especially preteens and teens, are hardwired to take risks, it may be easier to steer them toward positive iterations of risk that bring with them incredible opportunities for personal, intellectual, and social growth. [...]positive-risk seekers are less likely than their peers to report frequently feeling bored or depressed. Young people who challenge themselves by engaging in physical or athletic events (e.g., rock climbing, swim meets); joining in social activities with other kids (e.g., dances, skits); or opening up and sharing their feelings about their own life experiences (e.g., being away from home, conflicts with a friend) may benefit the most. Resiliency theorist Bonnie Benard, MSW, says, "We are all born with innate resiliency, with the capacity ^ to develop the traits commonly found in resilient survivors: ^^ social competence (responsiveness, cultural flexibility, empathy, k caring, communication skills, and a sense of humor); problem-solving (planning, help-seeking, critica and creative thinking); autonomy (sense of identity, self-efficacy, self-awareness, task-mastery, and adaptive distancing from negative messages and conditions); and a sense of purpose and belief in a bright future (goa direction, educational aspirations, optimism, faith, and spiritua connectedness)" (Benard, 2018).