Johnson and Malow-Iroff 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. Highly recommended. Graduate students, professionals, general readers.

Choice

Johnson and Malow-Iroff assess each risk behavior as it correlates with demographics, socio-economic statuses, and cultural factors surrounding today's youth. In addition, this book provides resources for handling harmful situations facing adolescents, offering practical and straightforward methods to aid one in negotiating positive paths for those in distress. . . For each topic, the authors explain the causes of the risky behavior and ways to prevent it, and offer advice that will be useful to parents and educators in addressing these issues.

Family Therapy