Cultivating Purpose in Adolescence

This report describes the process of developing or cultivating purpose and explains why purpose is one of the key aspects of healthy development in adolescence. Cultivating purpose is widely beneficial for adolescents, and it is particularly important for adolescents from traditionally underserved groups. Purpose is essentially a renewable resource that has the potential to benefit all adolescents. Just like any other resource (such as financial security, an abundance of food and rest, access to housing and healthcare, or a strong support system) purpose is a significant asset for anyone who has it, and many youth lack adequate resources to explore or develop this asset.