Lifecycle approach
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© UNICEF/INDA2011-00090/Graham Crouch |
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West Bengal INDIA. 2011: Debashree Waskar (19,white kurta) and Santoshi Singh (17 centre) on location near the Khidderpur Child Protection Centre. They are writing stories for a monthly newsletter called "Youth SpeakÓ and producing one minute documentary drama's to express their opinions and feelings. |
UNICEF has adopted a life-cycle approach to child development, a concept which provides a holistic and integrated methodology that connects and reinforces the various policy support measures in a coherent manner.
Research shows that adolescent problem behaviours are inter-related and have similar origins. Focusing on these common antecedents rather than the problems themselves is likely to have a deeper, lasting impact and help address multiple problems at the same time.
Adolescents need challenging experiences that are appropriate, diverse and sufficiently intense. All young people, in or out of school, whether low-income or affluent, need a mix of services, support and opportunities to stay engaged. They need relevant and reliable information to make informed decisions and to understand how the choices they make will affect their lives. They need opportunities for real participation and involvement in a range of community life.
Positive adolescent outcomes can be brought about by understanding adolescents' contexts, including their social environment, relationships and opportunities. The positive effect of "connectedness" to school and home, sustained parent-adolescent relationships and caring teachers are among the key factors. Appropriate, affordable and if necessary, confidential health care and high quality education are essential.
The greater attention given to the care, empowerment and protection of adolescents, girls in particular is the soundest way to break the intergenerational transmission of poverty and risk. For instance, good quality education empowers children’s ‘lives like nothing else, giving adolescents, both female and male, the knowledge, skills and confidence to meet the global challenges of our times.
Educated girls are less likely to:
- marry early
- get pregnant as teenagers
- more likely to have correct and comprehensive knowledge of HIV and AIDs
- more likely to have healthy children when they eventually become mothers.
Giving all young people the tools they need to improve their own lives, and by engaging them in efforts to improve their communities, we are investing in the strength of their societies.
