Key Takeaways:

  1. In this study we find that, across generations, Americans are reporting major increases in youth mentoring relationships. 
  2. Unfortunately, while the overall trend over the last 3 decades is one of increasing rates of mentoring for American youth, recent years have seen an uptick in the number of youth reporting that they had no mentor at all while growing up. 
  3. Even people who grew up with mentors remember times when they wanted more mentoring. When asked whether they could remember a time when they wanted a mentor but didn’t have one, Americans paint a sobering picture of unmet needs.
  4. Americans attribute much of their success in life to their mentors.
  5. Americans’ “Most meaningful” mentors supported them in a variety of ways. We asked Americans of all ages to tell us about the most special mentoring relationship they experienced. 

Youth With a Mentor Are:

92%

more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.

75%

more likely to have held a leadership position in a club or sports team.

22%

more likely to have experienced a strong sense of belonging while growing up.

74%

of those who had a meaningful mentor say that person contributed significantly to their success later in life.

85%

of young people with a mentor say this key relationship has helped them with issues related to school and their education.

58%

of young people say their mentor has supported their mental health.

60%

of those under 40 years old are still drawing advice from their childhood mentors.

Paths Forward:

  1. In order to reverse the trend of a growing mentoring gap, our movement needs all hands-on-deck to offer greater support today’s youth and young adults.
    • You can make a difference by becoming a mentor today! Visit MENTOR’s Mentoring Connector to explore mentoring opportunities in your area. 
  2. We must foster a “mentoring mindset” in as many American adults as possible.
  3. Supporting youth belonging and identity should increasingly be emphasized in mentoring relationships.
  4. We must further identify and support those who are least likely to find meaningful relationships and take steps to ensure that our movement intentionally engages these young people.
  • Download Now
    Please select all that apply
  • MENTOR National and Affiliates will use the information you provide to better inform future publications and keep you up to date with advancements in the mentoring field. For more information, check out our privacy policy.

  • Download Now
    Please select all that apply
  • MENTOR National and Affiliates will use the information you provide to better inform future publications and keep you up to date with advancements in the mentoring field. For more information, check out our privacy policy.