Teen 2.0 by Robert Epstein if a must-read for any parent or youthworker concerned about discipling young people. This book explores why American teenagers act the way they
do, the cultural phenomenon of adolescence, and how much trouble the
youth of America are in.
Although a bit long (over 400 pages, including appendices), Teen 2.0
is very accessible and essential reading material for anyone who cares about the development of teenagers.
I highly recommend it, but be warned: it will rock your world. Here’s a
brief synopsis:
Arguing
that adolescence is an unnecessary period of life that people are
better off without, this groundbreaking study shows that teen confusion
and hardships are caused by outmoded systems that were designed to
destroy the continuum between childhood and adulthood.
Documenting how teens are isolated from adults and are forced to look
to their media-dominated peers for knowledge, this discussion contends
that by infantilizing young people, society does irrevocable harm to
their development and well-being. Instead, parents, teachers, employers,
and others must rediscover the adults in young people by giving them
authority and responsibility as soon as they exhibit readiness.
Teens are highly capable-in some ways more than adults-and this
landmark discussion offers paths for reaching and enhancing the
competence in America’s youth.
who are doing incredible things in the world.
that comes to mind when I think of teenagers “irresponsible” or
“unreliable”? Maybe adolescence really is a cultural phenomenon.
that deals a lot with discipleship, I found
this book to be relevant to the work that we do, not just
with youth, but also with college students and young adults, who are also affected by adolescence.
and demonstrate the competency to follow through on their commitments. The struggle
is with the adults letting go of control and letting them fail.
