There are five developmental challenges which every adolescent must meet. There are no shortcuts and no exemptions, and these challenges are, from a psychological point of view, very strenuous. At the same time, most adolescents meet them with grace and ingenuity. Despite the images of rebellious and antisocial adolescents in the popular media, fully two-thirds of children have smooth or stepwise patterns of growth during the teen-age years, only one-third a tumultuous pattern. This humorous talk, illustrated with cartoons and drawings, provides useful perspective for parents of adolescents and calming preparation for parents of about-to-be-adolescents.
Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D.
New York Times Bestselling Author and International Speaker