The Seven Year Stretch: How Families Work Together to Grow Through Adolescence
Kastner (psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Univ. of Washington) and writer Wyatt, both of whom are parents of two children, examine the dynamics of adolescent growth within the family. Each of eight chapters deals separately with a major developmental area of adolescence: trust, freedom, a concept of self, character, social skills, sexuality, risk-taking, and launching. In discussing how adolescents achieve each of these goals, the authors concentrate on the family dynamics involved. Taking a wholistic approach, they argue cogently that "to understand what's going on with an individual, we need to explore the network of relationships of which he or she is a part." Sample vignettes are drawn from families who function at various levels, from healthy to very unhealthy. This work should prove to be a valuable resource to both parents and others, including educators, who work with adolescents. Highly recommended for all public and undergraduate libraries.?Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills., Md.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.