The Good Teen: Rescuing Adolescence from the Myths of the Storm and Stress Years

By Richard M. Lerner

Book Overview

Who says the teen years have to be terrible? Although the word teenager has become synonymous with trouble, the evidence is clear- Adolescents have gotten a bad rap-and this according to a landmark eight-year study of 4,000 teens from twenty-five states. In The Good Teen , acclaimed researcher Richard M. Lerner sets the record straight. The book- . Explores the academic origins of "the troubled teen," dismantling old myths and redefining normal adolescence . Presents the five characteristics of teen behavior that are proven to fuel positive development-Competence, Confidence, Connection,Character, and Caring-and specific ways parents can foster them . Envisions our children as resources to be developed, not problems to be fixed . Clearly shows parents what to do when things really go wrong-all teens, no matter how troubled they seem, can be helped . Encourages new thinking, new public policies, and new programs that focus on the strengths of teens "There is no one in America today who understands teenagers better than Richard Lerner." -William Damon, author of The Moral Child , professor of education, and director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence, Stanford University

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307347583
• ISBN13: 9780307347589
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Harmony/Rodale/Convergent
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Not all teens are trouble

This is a well-written book including research on the status of teens today. Its premise is that most teens behave well, but are subject to prejudice. They are treated as if we expect problems. Rather than say our teenagers are okay when they are not doing bad things,which demoralizes them and blinds us to who they are, we should show them the respect of expecting good, applauding their strengths, and helping them with their weaknesses,as with people of other ages. Suggestions are given for ways in which parents and also schools and the larger society can better support teenagers. Although much of it seems like common sense, the ideas are not really widely held. It is worth reading.

Outstanding

The book was great, it gave me a lot of great ideas and inside stuff I didn't know about what teens are going through in these time. The books is great and I would recomend it even if your child is just a little one.

Outstanding book

Neat outlook on adolescence. Very positive approaches that are well explained, supported by sited studies and easy to apply immediately.