Promoting Positive Attitudes and a Sense of Belonging among Youth: creating disability awareness and its impact on the attitudes
A healthy mind promotes and yields a positive approach which in turn attracts absolute certainty, manifests a purpose and creates a foundation for an inclusive life. An integral part of promoting positivity in children and youth is to comprehend the need of elaborating “positivity and community” and how the emphasis can have an impact on the society and oneself.
In order to advance positivity among societies and communities, we must acknowledge the categorical aspect of the term ‘positive thinking’ and its impact on people from every walk of life. “Positive thinking can be defined by the goal of health and happiness. It concentrates at positive qualities such as inner peace, strength, love, joy and happiness. “ This indicates that the power of a positive approach towards intricated situations or complexed relations can help ease the process by creating approachable conditions.
Ways to demonstrate positive thinking:
- Use of positive words
- Believe in success
- Keep your mind directed towards your objectives
- Be open to constructive criticism
- Help those around you in every way possible
Promotion of positivity needs to start at an early state of an individual’s life so that he/she is able to uphold various difficulties in life. This can be made possible if our schools, communities and parents start to connect in a more approachable manner with their children.
“Research indicates that the more exposure that adolescents have to positive resources and experiences — and where synergy between multiple settings can be established — the more likely it is that they will develop positively. Therefore, physical and institutional resources present in the social environment (for example, family supports) are just as essential for promoting positive youth development as are individual assets (such as skills, talents, and resiliency). These resources provide adolescents with routines and structure, as well as opportunities for learning, recreation, and engagement with individuals and their communities. “ Child TRENDS — Positive Youth Development
Likewise, disability advocacy among children and youth should be a prime objective within communities, schools and parents; ensuring a positive outlook on disability and the approach towards it. The need of having our children experience an inclusive life is vital. In addition, sharing the experience with children with disabilities will encourage inclusiveness and thoughtfulness. As we view the outcomes of a positive approach, we come across promotion of sense of belonging which helps create opportunities for our youth to interact in a more coherent manner with their disabled peers. Moreover, promotion of a sense of belonging amongst young able-bodied and disabled children helps build confidence, develop an identity and explore skills at their own pace.
“Activities for youth need to be attractive to the youth audience. This means having fun, fresh, and interactive things to do” (Morley and Rossman, 1997).
Our youth should enjoy every phase of life and also appreciate others by finding a potential friend or partner in them. The need to create disability awareness among our youth reflects in promoting both positivity and a sense of belonging as we are all one and equal. Thus, the obstacles and hurdles created by societies will be more likely to decline if the right education and awareness is offered, which shouldn’t solely focus on forming platforms and opportunities for our youth but also encourage free expression and open discussions. In addition to the promotion of positivity and a sense of belonging, ARISE Impact aims at creating an empowering platform for individuals with disabilities so that they are able to explore their potential skills and create value for society through their work and contributions.
The following are some of the activities we can help organize(for all) at school, workplace, college and community:
- Sport events, promoting physical fitness
- Environmental education campaigns
- Cultural events, including music, arts
- Social interaction events, building confidence and mentoring
- Creating opportunities for community service
“If we are to reach real peace in this world… we shall have to begin with children.” — Mahatma Gandhi
For more information, visit our website www.ariseimpact.org or contact us at contact@ariseimpact.org
Reference links:
https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Happiness/Positive_thinking
https://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/01/Youth-Positive-Devlopment.pdf
