Public Policy and Human Development

Lynne M. Borden & Margaret Stone & Francisco A. Villarruel

Numerous authors have suggested that defining public policy is a difficult task (Bogenschneider, 2000; Dye, 1998), especially when it comes to policies intended to promote child/youth well-being (Pittman, Diversi, & Ferber, 2002; Walker, 2001; Walker, Brooks, & Wrightsman, 1999). Thus, Dye (1998) suggests that it is simply easier to define public policy as “whatever governments choose to do or not to do” (p. 2). Policy matters associated with an effort to reduce youth violence, for example, could include who is going to do it, where it is going to be done, under what circumstances it is to be done, to whom it is to be done, how it is to be financed, and at what level. Moreover, these questions are only part of the equation that civic leaders, community members, and, it is hoped, youth themselves must consider. Thus, Blankenhorn's (1990) notion that “most public policies are a combination of ...

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