ABSTRACT
In this chapter we examine relationships between youth and adults outside their families as sources of strength that can help young people thrive even in the face of stressful economic and social change. Such relationships are counted among the assets that promote positive youth development (Eccles & Gootman, 2002). Our treatment of the topic will emphasize the needs of low-income and otherwise marginalized youth. While acknowledging the primacy of family relationships for nearly all youth, we focus primarily on relationships with adults who are not family members, addressing the value of these relationships, what forms they take, which adults are most likely to be involved, and finally how such relationships can be fostered so that more of the youth who need them have access to, and benefit from, them.
