The Needs of Youth

(in order of importance)

• Physiological needs are the basic necessities of life.
• Safety needs involve security, stability, protection, order, and freedom from fear.
• Social needs are those involving the need to love and be loved, to feel accepted and to belong and to give and receive affection.
• Esteem needs are those dealing with confidence and competence, self-image, self-respect, and esteem from others.
• Growth needs are those dealing with potential and being all that one can be and become.

Some of youth’s greatest issues associated with these needs are those related to loneliness, poor self-esteem, and discovering self-identity. Other major issues include poor relationships with parents, school problems, prejudice and injustice, vocational decisions, and their desire to discover God’s will in their lives.