Review by Choice Review
Johnson (human development and learning, Dowling College) and Malow-Iroff (special education, Manhattanville College) present a thoughtful analysis of the most pressing problems apparent in adolescents today. The authors explain how an adolescent might perceive the world and how those perceptions might lead to risky behaviors involving sex, alcohol, and other drugs or become troubled or dark enough to lead to thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. Johnson and Malow-Iroff do not argue that all, or even many, adolescents contemplate or attempt suicide, but the risk is real and the authors explore it and other behaviors with compassion and honesty. The chapter on adolescent sex, for example, discusses statistics on sexual activity, condom usage, and the effectiveness of various teenage pregnancy prevention programs, and provides additional resources for information on this important issue. This book will be especially valuable for individuals (teachers, coaches, counselors) working with this population and for parents struggling to understand problems their adolescent might be confronting. It is not for those who think looking the other way is the solution. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, professionals, general readers. R. E. Osborne Texas State University--San Marcos
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
