MENTORING A CLASSIC WAY TO HELP CHILDREN AVOID RISKY BEHAVIOR AS TEENS

SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER

The word "mentor" comes from a character named Mentor in Homer's
Odyssey.

Because Odysseus had been away for many years, his son Telemachus was
deprived of a father figure who could serve as a role model. The
goddess Athene therefore disguised herself as Mentes and encouraged
Telemachus to take a journey. Telemachus was gratified "in his spirit,
courage, and determination, and he remembered his father even more."
The next guise Athene chose was Mentor -- Odysseus' former companion
- -- who encouraged the youth: "You are no thoughtless man, no coward,
if truly the strong force of your father is instilled in you, such a
man he was for accomplishing word and action."

The need for adult mentors is as true for today's children as it was
around 850 B.C. when the ancient Greek poet memorialized the divine
act of befriending young people. A 12-year study of students in grades
one through six, published this month in the Archives of Pediatric and
Adolescent Medicine, proves that fostering self-esteem through love of
learning can help prevent risky behavior during the vulnerable teen
years. High school attendance and performance were improved among
adolescents who had been encouraged during the younger grades by
teachers and coaches.

The study was conducted in one of Seattle's most crime-ridden
neighborhoods. Some schools were given the intervention program while
others were not. Children who received elementary school mentoring
were, by age 18: 19 percent less likely to commit violent acts, 38
percent less likely to indulge in heavy drinking, 13 percent less
likely to engage in premature sexual intercourse, 19 percent less
likely to have multiple sexual partners and 35 percent less likely to
become pregnant or cause a pregnancy.

Students who took part in the mentoring program also were more likely
to stay in school and achieve higher grades. J. David Hawkins, a
professor of social work and principal investigator for the study,
concluded: "It's amazing to see these outcomes. When kids get on a
positive trajectory, they are less inclined to take risks that would
throw them off track."

Any community could adopt this approach because it makes use of people
already involved in children's lives. The work of retired Gen. Colin
Powell, director of America's Promise -- the Alliance for Youth,
illustrates that a vast reservoir of willing mentors exists across our
country. Likewise, the organization "100 Black Men" has found mentors
- -- including CEOs of major companies -- for inner-city youths from
broken homes. With just a little help, youngsters will turn away from
substance abuse and other dangerous conduct.

Experts have called for a continuation of mentoring programs in higher
grades. The Seattle program involved sixth-grade teachers and parents
who were given guidance in how to establish expectations and
regulations for young people. The goal was to create commitment to
school and an emotional attachment to learning, instructors and peers.
The children developed motivation to live in a responsible fashion
that wouldn't jeopardize their education. The full cost of the program
over six years was calculated at $3,000 per student. Compared to the
cost of addiction, crime, unwanted pregnancies, associated health care
costs and ruined lives -- the prevention programs are extremely
cost-effective.

The National Mentoring Partnership in Washington, D.C., has
investigated a number of projects. In 1995, an impact study of the Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of America revealed that young people who worked
with mentors -- compared to a control group without them -- were 46
percent less likely to use illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to
drink alcohol, 53 percent less likely to be truant, 37 percent less
likely to skip classes and 33 percent less likely to hit another person.

A 1994 Linking Lifetimes study from the Center for Intergenerational
Learning at Temple University illustrated that young people with older
mentors (at an average age of 65) showed improvement in school-related
behavior, self-confidence and personal skills. In a 1989 Louis Harris
Poll, 73 percent of students said mentors helped raise goals and
expectations and 59 percent of mentored pupils had improved grades.

A 1988 Proctor & Gamble study in Cincinnati showed that students with
mentors were more likely to go to college.

Finally, the Quantum Opportunities Program funded by the Ford
Foundation discovered that mentored high school students, from
families receiving public assistance, were more likely to become
involved in community service; they were less likely to be arrested or
require welfare and food stamps.

From Homeric origins until today, mentoring has withstood the test of
time because it is a classic way to help children. Each youngster's
life is an odyssey of sorts. Teens must negotiate the trials of
adolescence and make tough decisions that affect their future. Every
young American deserves the same attention and sound advice that the
first "Mentor" gave. Reducing drug use is one part of securing happy,
healthy options for the next generation.