What does thriving in adulthood and being your best self look like? STAY youth’s confidence in independent decision-making is an important part of thriving in adulthood. There are many milestones in the transition to adulthood that STAY youth may want to achieve. Milestones might include finding a job, renting an apartment, or adopting a pet. STAY youth want the power to decide which milestones are most important to them, along with how or when to reach those milestones. They also want the freedom to explore who they are through their own choices.
STAY case managers agreed with STAY youth. They felt it was important for case managers to focus on helping STAY youth maintain agency in their own lives. Case managers and other supportive adults may have a limited perspective of what STAY youth want and need. This might mean that they have different goals for STAY youth than STAY youth have for themselves. When youth lead the decision-making process in their lives, they can work towards what is important to them personally. When case managers have an attitude of supporting youth to achieve their own milestones, youth pursue what they care about, and not just what adults in their lives may see as important.
The journey to adulthood is easier when case managers support independent decision-making. When STAY youth make decisions independently, they can:
- Explore what they like or care about
- Celebrate the results of good decisions, or learn from their mistakes
- Build confidence in their own ability to look after themselves as adults
- Develop a strong self-identity and sense of self, which is a natural part of growing up
- Strengthen relationships with their STAY case managers or supportive adults who guide them
STAY case managers and supportive adults can help youth navigate decisions and be present to support them through the good and the bad. One STAY case manager illustrated this in an interview:
“And one of the things I say to my youth is that I will walk alongside of you. I will work as hard as you do. But I will not work harder than you, and I will not do things for you. If you need me to sit next to you while you’re filling out that application, sure thing. If you need me to walk into Human Services with you… absolutely. But I’m not going to fill out the application for you. I’m not going to do the meeting without you. You can take action, and I will be there with you.” – STAY case manager
When it’s realistic, young people should hold decision-making power in their own lives, throughout all phases of their transition to adulthood. STAY youth become more independent and their best selves when they are free to make their own choices about their own lives.
