Music Education: A Vehicle for Fostering Positive Youth Development

Abstract

In the contemporary Nigerian society, many youths are faced with various challenges. The inability of these young people to cope with these challenges result in all-risk behavior such as lack of confidence, low self-esteem, low motivation, etc. Over the years, indulging in music program has proved to yield positive results in the development of the youths. This paper attempts to investigate the outcome of youth’s participation in music programs. The paper argues that active engagement of the youths in music program can yield positive youth development rather than perceived deficits and risks behaviors. The paper is anchored on the positive youth development theory which focused on the positive assets young people bring to their engagement. It employs survey and library as its methodology and concludes by suggesting that since young people who have shown competency in music program exhibit more positive youth development, teaching and learning strategies and environmental supports that foster the development of youths should be emphasized.