| African American women have had a unique role in America. Their contribution to their families, the community, and the work place continues to increase despite obstacles of discrimination, family pressures, and economic stress. For instance, African American women as a group possess the matchless characteristic of raising "other people's children" while raising their own, and simultaneously changing the course of civil rights in this nation. From an early age these women must learn how life and societal expectations intersect for them.;How do these women accomplish insurmountable goals? What is it that prepares young girls for a future full of challenges and strengthens them for their journey as women? Is it their faith? Does their relationship with the church provide the guidance, strength, and support necessary to face the huge expectations in society? Or is it their community, their friends, and family? Could it be a combination of organizations, people, and experiences that furnishes their capacity for life? When do these life lessons begin? Adolescence is a time to practice and build the assets needed for adulthood. Understanding this stage of development for African American teenage girls can only serve as an aid to communities.;Although all of these questions deserve attention, this researcher explored only selected community assets for their effect on particular aspects of positive youth development in African American adolescent females.;The Search Institute's Attitudes and Behaviors Questionnaire for youths was administered to 2,136 African American adolescent female students. Sixteen variables were developed from the survey, including demographic variables (age, residence, family status, mother's educational level, and father's educational level), community variables (faith participation, extracurricular activities, positive peers, parental school involvement, supportive parents, supportive adults, and supportive teachers), and outcome variables (civic participation, positive future orientation, positive self-concept, and academic status).;Four models using multiple regression analysis were tested. All four models were significant. Among seven community variables, participation in extracurricular activities was found to contribute most to the positive youth outcomes. Unfortunately, only 35% of the youth were found to be actually involved in those activities. In addition, of the demographic variables, father's educational level contributed most to the teens' positive self-concept. |
