National Indie Excellence Awards, first prize in the Parenting and Family category Arguing that adolescence is an unnecessary period of life that people are better off without, this groundbreaking study shows that teen confusion and hardships are caused by outmoded systems that were designed to destroy the continuum between childhood and adulthood. Documenting how teens are isolated from adults and are forced to look to their media-dominated peers for knowledge, this discussion contends that by infantilizing young people, society does irrevocable harm to their development and well-being. Instead, parents, teachers, employers, and others must rediscover the adults in young people by giving them authority and responsibility as soon as they exhibit readiness. Teens are highly capable--in some ways more than adults--and this landmark discussion offers paths for reaching and enhancing the competence in America's youth.

Robert Epstein, PhD, is the former editor in chief of "Psychology Today," a contributing editor to "Scientific American Mind," and the host of the radio show "Psyched!" A visiting scholar at the University of California-San Diego and former university research professor at the California School of Professional Psychology, he is the founder and director emeritus of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies and the developer of many parenting, adolescence, and other competency tests. He is the author of many articles and books, including The Big Book of series. He lives in San Diego, California.

Categories

• Developmental - Adolescent
• Life Stages - Adolescence
• Life Stages - Teenagers

Product Details

ISBN: 9781884995590
ISBN-10: 1884995594
Publisher: Quill Driver Books
Publication Date: February 24th, 2010
Pages: 535
Language: English

"Here are America's youth, regarded keenly, knowinglywith many popular assumptions and notions set aside in favor of an accurate and thoughtful portrayal of our young citizens, and too, many of the rest of us, who may fail them by overlooking their achievements and possibilities."  Robert Coles, MD, professor, Harvard University, winner, Pulitzer Prize

"Dr. Epstein's ideas about teens are revolutionary. Many of our teens today have serious problems, and if Dr. Epstein is right, those problems are largely of our our making. This book will bring our ideas about teens down to earth."  Buzz Aldrin, astronaunt

"I heartily believe in the validity of what he is saying. Furthermore, I believe what he is saying to have vast consequences for our society. All of America should take note."  M. Scott Peck, MD, author, The Road Less Traveled

"Dr. Epstein's book traces the history of the problem, demonstrates with unrelenting perseverance that much of the turmoil of our teens is a creation of our culture, and offers a specific and detailed proposal for getting our young people back on track. If you are concerned about America's youngand about America's futurethis is a must-read."  Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

"Academic libraries will want this for the updated statistics. Among the many good titles on the invention theory of adolescence, Epstein's is the most comprehensive and authoritative."  Library Journal BookSmack

"Epstein says kids as young as 12 ought to be able to smoke, drink, vote, drive, have sex and fight in combat . . . [based on] competence rather than age."  ParentDish.com

"This passionate, yet thoughtful presentation . . . should be on gift lists for parents of middle/junior high school graduates across the U.S." Marcia L. Weinstein, PhD, professor of psychology, Salem State University

"Epstein offers insightful answers to . . . the artificial extension of childhood. Epstein demonstrates how teenagers are isolated from adults . . . [brings] insights . . . to the global problem of extended childhood."  Youthworker Journal