Choosing for Yourself

A pragmatic framework for developing competence in young people’s personal decision-making

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Making personal decisions is a kind of purposeful thought that can be life-changing, so competence in it could be of long-term benefit. Competence, however, is not always well-developed. Routes to a decision are described, and a potential approach to decision-making is constructed which recognises human tendencies and limitations and allows different modes of thought to contribute to the process. This is translated into a framework for supporting personal decision-making, and it is elaborated to highlight potential roles for those who work with and support children, adolescents, and young adults. The influences of a student’s hidden beliefs and self-imposed horizons are briefly discussed, and some cautionary observations are highlighted. On this basis, fostering competence in personal decision-making seems feasible and worthwhile.