10.1177/0272431604273211JOURNAL OF EARLY ADOLESCENCE / February 2005Lerner et al. / POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPME T Positive Youth Development A View of the Issues

The positive youth development (PYD) perspective is a strength-based conception of adolescence. Derived from developmental systems theory, the perspective stressed that PYD emerges when the potential plasticity of human development is aligned with devel-opmental assets. The research reported in this special issue, which is derived from col-laborations among multiple university and community-based laboratories, reflects and extends past theory and research by documenting empirically (a) the usefulness of apply-ing this strength-based view of adolescent development within diverse youth and commu-nities; (b) the adequacy of conceptualizing PYD through Five Cs (competence, confi-dence, connection, character, and caring); (c) the individual and ecological developmental assets associated with PYD; and (d) implications for community programs and social policies pertinent to youth