Age of Opportunity - by Laurence Steinberg (Paperback)

About the Book

The world's leading authority on adolescence presents original new research that explains, as no one has before, how this stage of life has changed and how to steer teenagers through its risks and toward its rewards.

Book Synopsis

"Simply the best book I have ever read about adolescence. . . . With gentle wisdom, Steinberg guides us through truly novel findings on what happens during adolescence and tells us how, as parents and teachers, we should change our ways." -- Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph. D., author of The Optimistic Child

"If you need to understand adolescents--whether your own or anyone else's--you must read this book . . . Steinberg explains why most of our presumptions about adolescence are dead wrong and reveals the truth about this exciting and unnerving stage of life." --Jennifer Senior, author of All Joy and No Fun

Over the past few decades, adolescence has lengthened, and this stage of life now lasts longer than ever. Recent research has shown that the adolescent brain is surprisingly malleable, making it a crucial time of life for determining a person's future success and happiness. In Age of Opportunity, the world-renowned expert on adolescence Laurence Steinberg draws on this trove of fresh evidence--including his own groundbreaking research--to explain the teenage brain's capacity for change and to offer new strategies for instilling resilience, self-regulation, and other beneficial traits. By showing how new discoveries about adolescence must change the way we raise, teach, and treat young people, Steinberg provides a myth-shattering guide for parents, educators, and anyone else who cares about adolescents.

"This book belongs on the shelf of every parent, teacher, youth worker, counselor, judge--heck, anyone interested in pre-teens and teenagers."--David Walsh, Ph.D., author of Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen

Based on decades of research, this guide explains:

• The Plastic Brain: Learn why adolescence is a second, critical period of neuroplasticity and how you can harness this unique window of opportunity to foster lasting resilience and success.
• Raising Teenagers: Get new, science-backed strategies for parenting that move beyond myths and help you effectively guide your teen toward maturity and self-control.
• Adolescent Risk-Taking: Understand the science behind why teens take risks, how their brains process rewards, and what parents and educators can do to protect them.
• Executive Functions: Discover how to instill crucial traits like self-control and strategic thinking by leveraging groundbreaking research from world-renowned expert Laurence Steinberg.

From the Back Cover

If you need to understand adolescents whether your own or anyone else s you must read this book . . . Steinberg explains why most of our presumptions about adolescence are dead wrong and reveals the truth about this exciting and unnerving stage of life. Jennifer Senior, author of All Joy and No Fun

Over the past few decades, adolescence has lengthened, and this stage of life now lasts longer than ever. Recent research has shown that the adolescent brain is surprisingly malleable, making it a crucial time of life for determining a person s future success and happiness. In Age of Opportunity, the world-renowned expert on adolescence Laurence Steinberg draws on this trove of fresh evidence including his own groundbreaking research to explain the teenage brain s capacity for change and to offer new strategies for instilling resilience, self-control, and other beneficial traits. By showing how new discoveries about adolescence must change the way we raise, teach, and treat young people, Steinberg provides a myth-shattering guide for parents, educators, and anyone else who cares about adolescents.

A fascinating book [that] parents and teachers ought to read. Atlanta Journal Constitution

This book belongs on the shelf of every parent, teacher, youth worker, counselor, judge heck, anyone interested in pre-teens and teenagers. David Walsh, Ph.D., author of Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen

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Review Quotes

"A fascinating book [that] parents and teachers ought to read." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Simply the best book I have ever read about adolescence, and I say this as both the father of seven and as a scientist who works in this field. With gentle wisdom, Steinberg guides us through truly novel findings on what happens during adolescence and tells us how, as parents and teachers, we should change our ways." - Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph. D., author of The Optimistic Child

"If you need to understand adolescents -- whether your own or anyone else's -- you must read this book. Steinberg explains why most of our presumptions about adolescence are dead wrong and reveals the truth about this exciting and unnerving stage of life. Written with warmth, lucidity, and passion, Age of Opportunity will fill parents with relief by demystifying their children. Educators and policy-makers should study it carefully." - Jennifer Senior, author of All Joy and No Fun

"Steinberg explains how 'abnormal' adolescent behavior is actually 'normal.' This book belongs on the shelf of every parent, teacher, youth worker, counselor, judge-- heck, anyone interested in pre-teens and teenagers." - David Walsh, Ph.D., author of Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen

"This study will be gratefully received by many for its advice on how our increasing understanding of adolescent development can be put to practical use in helping adolescents through emotional and behavioral tumult... Steinberg's audience is as broad as his approach and includes parents, educators, politicans, businesspeople, and health care professionals. A clear and canny look into the adolescent brain that will help influence adolescent lives for the better." - Kirkus Reviews

"This fascinating book gives us cause for concern, cause for hope and cause for celebration. Whether you're a parent or an adolescent yourself, you should read it. There's information in these pages that could change and improve your life." - Peg Tyre, author of The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve

"Based on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of a leading authority in the field, this magnificent book will captivate parents, teachers, policy-makers and adolescents themselves." - Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Ph.D., Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College, London

"A convincing and eloquent call for change." - Publishers Weekly

"As a mother of two boys and an educator, I am so grateful Laurence Steinberg has written this amazing book. He not only clearly and elegantly communicates the newest insights into understanding teenagers' brains but also shows how adults can manage ourselves when we get frustrated with teens' behavior." - Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes and Masterminds and Wingmen

"I love this book! Steinberg has blended the latest research with his decades of expertise to give us a bold new view of the perils and promise of adolescence." - Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine, and author of Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain

"Clear, evidence-based, and solutions-oriented, Age of Opportunity is the roadmap you need whether you already have a teen or young adult, or are preparing for one." - Madeline Levine, Ph.D., author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well

"A masterful summary of what science has recently discovered about adolescence. I learned something new on every page." - Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., MacArthur Fellow and Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

"A fascinating and important book. What every parent, teacher and counselor MUST know about the adolescent brain, its vulnerabilities, and its tremendous possibilities." - Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology, Stanford University, and author of Mindset

About the Author

LAURENCE STEINBERG is the author of the leading textbook on adolescence, more than 350 scholarly articles, and a dozen books. He has written for numerous publications, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Psychology Today.