Youths need to feel a sense of power, of being trusted to lead, to take responsibility, to be held accountable, and to be rewarded. Starting Early Dealing with health issues must begin at an early age. This includes programs in alcohol and chemicals, safety, sexuality, nutrition and eating behaviors, physical and sexual abuse, and stress and depression. Research1 shows, for example, that youth begin experimenting with alcohol at about 11. The average age at which teens begin to be sexually active is 14.
Body image is an issue with youth before they even reach junior high school.
By working cooperatively, parents, teachers, 4-H leaders, doctors, clergy, and peers can develop programs that touch many aspects of adolescents' lives and provide them with information and resources they need. They can provide teens with consistent positive messages of support in the decisions they have to make in health and lifestyle issues. Collaborative efforts allow 4-H to offer a wider variety of health programs and materials than would otherwise be possible. They also connect 4-H with related diagnostic, counseling, clinical, medical, and religious services that other agencies can more appropriately provide. This makes it possible to offer truly comprehensive prevention programs that simultaneously support intellectual, emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of youth in the community.