Positive Youth Development for Youth Living in Structurally Diverse Families

Abstract

Research on family structure diversity and youth well-being has largely aligned with deficit orientations, emphasizing that living in structurally diverse families is a potential risk-factor for youth well-being and development. In this article, I advocate for increased strengths-based scholarship on youth living in structurally diverse families by centering this research with positive youth development (PYD) frameworks. Broadly, PYD frameworks orient scholars toward viewing youth holistically, attending to positive indicators of well-being as well as how youth capacities and experiences intersect with family and community resources to promote flourishing and thriving. Approaching family structure diversity and youth well-being from a PYD perspective provides an important counter to the deficit perspective that dominates research on youth living in structurally diverse families. I review models of PYD and provide specific guidance for how family scientists can incorporate PYD outcomes and processes into family structure scholarship.