Many studies have been done to evaluate the benefit of investing in youth. Below are outcomes in terms of benefits obtained when young people have sustained exposure to most or all of the fundamental success-oriented resources. The benefits are realized regardless of disparity factors such as race or family income.
Benefit
Evidence
A youth with sustained exposure to most or all of the key resources is:
Academic success
•2x more likely to get mostly A's
Civic engagement
•40% more likely to volunteer in community
Social competence
•2x less likely to use violence •66% more likely to be generous, respectful and empathetic
Overall health
•Less likely to use drugs •More likely to thrive
Compiled from "Every Child, Every Promise: Turning Failure into Action," a report from America's Promise Alliance
Also compelling is work done by University of Chicago economists Dr. James Heckman (Nobel Laureate) and Flavio Cunha, examining the impact of investment on youth development. The study concluded that disadvantaged children who are considered most at risk are also those that show the most dramatic improvements when they receive investments that build on skills for success. The differences are outlined in the chart below.
Based on "Investing in Our Young People," a study by Heckman and Cunha
