Fostering grit in the youth of today

B'Onko Sadler, Michigan State University Extension -

Grit is the perseverance through hard times and failure, an important skill that adults can help foster in the youth they work with.

Today’s youth seem to have less motivation and personal drive compared to the youth yesterday. Youth today are afforded a ton of opportunities and experiences that could only be dreamed of 30 years ago. From sports to educational trips and experiences, youth can get involved in just about anything that interests them. The question is now, “Do the youth of today possess grit?” Grit can be defined in a lot of different ways, but it is the perseverance through hard times and failure. Angela Duckworth, a researcher and leading psychologist for grit study, has defined grit as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.”

Why does grit in youth matter? Research has been linking grit as a determinate to whether or not one will succeed and be successful in life. There is a notion those that work hard will succeed not matter what, and if you are gifted, smart or live in an stable environment, you have already written your ticket to success. That isn’t the case anymore. The youth of today have so many options and when the going gets hard for them, they are more often than not to just quit. If they are in sports and it gets tough for them, they quit and do something else.

How do adults help foster grit in the youth they work with? Adults that work with youth should help them see further beyond the goal in mind. Adults should help motivate youth to build confidence, even through the toughest times of achieving that goal. The biggest of this is practice. You get better by doing something over and over again, not just by quitting.

If you you would like to learn more about grit and Duckworth’s work, please visit her current research at “Angela Duckworth and the Research on ‘Grit’.” Michigan State University Extension helps youth grow grit everyday through our vast youth programs. For more information on these programs, visit the MSU Extension website.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?


SLEEP Basics : Burgess - Shadbush Nature Center

Register Now

Brief Practices in Mindfulness Mindful Monday 4.22

Register Now

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • healthy youth,
  • life skills,
  • msu extension
  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).