Expert Interview: The Promise of Adolescence: Linking Identity Development, Economic Opportunity, and “Youth Friendly Systems” in the 21st Century

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Although adolescence is often associated with disruption and risk, it is also a developmental period rich with opportunity for young people to create their own identity and use their newfound agency to take action. Yet, as documented in the recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) consensus report, “The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth,” the promise of adolescence can be hindered by cultural, economic, and societal barriers and disadvantages. These cross-cutting factors can shape a young person’s pathway by reducing access to opportunities and increasing exposure to risks, stresses, and demands. Through a one-on-one interview with leading expert Dr. Joanna Lee Williams, Curry School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia and NASEM committee member, we will learn more about this interplay between individual identity development and environmental context that ultimately influences youth choices and behaviors. This conversation will help us begin to more clearly understand the challenges impacting adolescent development, as well as how we can start to rethink and redesign pathways toward a more inclusive future for all young people in the 21st century.

Interviewer:

Dr. Christy Olenik, VP for Technical Services, Making Cents International

Speaker:

Dr. Joanna Lee Williams, Associate Professor, Dept. of Leadership, Foundations and Policy, Curry School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville