In Section 4: Program Delivery, you learned that it is important for youth to learn conflict resolution skills. Having young people practice making decisions can help them prepare for situations when they have to make real-life decisions.
Directions
• Define the problem, issue, or situation. Youth should think about the choice or problem, ask others to help them identify the problem, and look for information to help them understand the problem.
• Identify alternatives, choices, or options. Youth should list or brainstorm all of the possible ways to solve the problem or choices available to them. This step helps them to think before making a choice and identify more than one way to deal with the problem.
• Identify consequences and risks for each choice. Think about the advantages or positive aspects of each possible choice. Then identify the disadvantages or risks involved with making each choice. Encourage youth to think about their family and personal values and how each decision may affect other people.
• Decide on one choice. What is the best alternative? Encourage youth to think about all the information they gathered about each choice and how their decision will affect them and others. Choices may also be based on knowledge, values, religious beliefs, and present and future goals.
• Evaluate the decision. Using the steps necessary for sound decision-making will not guarantee that all of the decisions youth make will be the right ones. After they make an important decision, encourage youth to think about the consequences and use this knowledge to change the decision the next time or be assured that the right decision was made.