Strength-Based Philosophy

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Strength Based Philosophy Strength-based approach is a successful implementation that is important to the social service field and is particularly useful to youth justice. Through the years, the strength-based philosophy has used in some type of client population and in areas to assist professions. Today many fields have developed their own approaches similar to strengths perspective which focuses on the development of resilience, community development, or solution focused therapy. Strength-based philosophy develops individual’s strengths and works to enhance their characteristics. Often the strength-based approach is compared to a deficit-based approach which means it focuses on failures. To better understand strength-based philosophy, it …show more content…

Usually strengths are known for being positive factors that support healthy development in the individual and in their environment (Roebank, 2007, p. 6). There have been studies done by prevention researchers that have found that strengths can be a as a protective mechanism. Some strengths can include hope, courage, honesty, optimism, and faith. Another factor to look at is how strengths are affected by an individual’s environment. A person’s positive environments, such as families, communities, or culture, are important contributions to the outcomes of their strengths (Roebank, 2007, …show more content…

Usually in youth justice settings, level systems or point systems are the main way to control and adapt behavior. For good behavior a person may receive more points that results to more privileges while bad behavior will receive less levels of points and negative consequences (Roebank, 2007, p. 8). The negativity to this practice is that it does not prepare children to effectively become responsible adults in the future. With point and level systems youths have limited control, but with strength-based perspective the youth does have control over themselves so that can develop am internal locus of control. There was a report of an agency who was transforming their multi-services for children into strength-based model and had issues of control and spent too much time debating over the issues. Although there was a struggle with control, it did motivate them. People tend to resist when they feel like they have limited freedom and when staff pressure individuals, it makes them feel powerless. Therefor when young people feel like they have no control over their life, they are less likely to accept any behavior changes. To change behaviors, it must be done internally and by choice. So when someone realizes the difference between their personal goals and their behavior, then out of motivation and choice, will change

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