Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers

Youth, Family, and Culture

by Chap Clark

2011 Outreach Resource of the Year
2011 Book of the Year Award, Foreword Magazine

Hurt provided a vivid and insightful view into the world of today's teenagers. Now leading youth ministry expert Chap Clark substantially updates and revises his groundbreaking bestseller (over 55,000 copies sold). Hurt 2.0 features a new chapter on youth at society's margins and new material on social networking and gaming. Each chapter has been thoroughly revised with new research, statistics, quotations, and documentation.

Praise for the first edition

"Based on solid research and years of insightful observation, Hurt offers a deep and penetrating look into the contemporary adolescent experience that will serve us well as we work to have a prophetic, preventive, and redemptive influence on the world of today's youth culture."-- Walt Mueller , Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

"A daring yet hopeful glance into the underworld of teen promiscuity, self-mutilation, and suicide. . . . A groundbreaking resource for parents, youth ministers, and counselors."-- ForeWord

"Clark's classic book [is] highly recommended by youth workers and educators who write about teenage stress. It is foundational reading that provides valuable insight into the hurting hearts of young people."-- YouthWorker Journal

"Clark has been stepping inside the world of teenagers for many years. This book is a unique invitation for us to join him in their world. When we finish this journey, we will care more about kids and understand who they are and the challenges they face."-- Denny Rydberg , Young Life

"Drawing together research from many others along with his fresh exploration into the world beneath, Clark paints a compelling picture of adolescent life. . . . This book is a must-read for anyone who has any contact with adolescents."-- Journal of Youth Ministry

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Parenting, Counselling, Faith, Psychology, Theology

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Chap Clark (PhD, University of Denver) is professor and chair of the youth, family, and culture department at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he also directs the Student Leadership Project and is coordinator of Fuller Studio. He is on the teaching team at Harbor Christian Center church in Gig Harbor, Washington, is president of ParenTeen, and works closely with Young Life. Clark has authored or coauthored numerous books including Hurt 2.0 and Sticky Faith. Follow him on Twitter @chapclark.

Reviews

[Jethro Wall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer - Review written for study.

Written in 2004 (and revised in 2011), Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers by Chap Clark is a comprehensive look into the world and minds of adolescents. Clark’s specific focus is on what he labels ‘midadolescents’ which is “fourteen to twenty-year-old[s]” (p11), and he uses a wealth of personal research and interviews to enlighten predominantly adults on what modern teenage life is like.

Summary

The crux of the book flows from Clark’s conviction that “... adults understand very little of the inside life of the American teenager, especially the midadolescent” (p45). Generally speaking, adults' perceptions of our modern youth is negative; they are viewed as lazy, rebellious and disinterested. But Clark doesn’t side with the adults in this diagnosis, rather he is convinced that the adults have misunderstood their youth in most cases.

An argument Clark makes early on is that adults think the adolescent world they grew up in is the same as the current adolescent landscape, which is an unfounded perception according to Clark. And many adults are clueless to the depth and complexity of the world in which adolescents live in - this “world beneath” (p68-69). In other words, the ignorance that adults have towards adolescent life is the cause of many of these issues.

This ignorance has quickly resulted in abandonment of our modern youth. In most cases, a failure to acknowledge the ever changing generational landscapes and a failure to seek to understand it, has become a failure to genuinely care about midadolescents at all. The book presents that this neglect and insensitivity of adults towards midadolescents is perhaps bigger than the majority of adults think.

This “culture of abandonment” (p51), is what underpins Clark’s entire reasoning throughout the book. As he himself puts it - “This rejection, or abandonment, of adolescents is the root of the fragmentation and calloused distancing that are the hallmarks of the adolescent culture.” (p39).

Evaluation

I agree with Clark’s emphasis on abandonment as the basis for his argument - mostly. Being 21 years old, I felt like I could resonate with a lot that Clark drew out from his research, and I feel fairly qualified to have an opinion on his work, considering the topic of interest is still fresh in my own memory.

Peers was one of the first facets Clark explored in order to help the reader understand midadolescents. ‘Clusters’ was a big point of emphasis in this section, which is basically a fancy word for ‘friendship groups’, and although I found it interesting to relate this concept of ‘clusters’ to my own friendship experience throughout my high school years, as a whole this tangent felt counterintuitive to the crux of Clark’s argument. Yes young people gravitate toward like-minded peers, and yes adults need to acknowledge this, but apart from this simple acknowledgement, it didn’t feel like an overly valuable observation. However, I’m sure this chapter could provide helpful insight to adults that are ignorant of this reality I suppose.

The insight into school life in the proceeding section provided research that seemed more helpful to the overall argument. Clark narrowed in on the influence of teachers, as well as their attitudes, teaching style, and demeanours. He highlighted that there is too often a disconnect between teachers and students, often due to the ignorance on the part of the teachers. I found this quote to be an important observation and one which I found true of my own schooling experience - “Teacher’s implicit attitude that learning should be pleasurable is enough to drive an almost instant wedge between them and the students they are attempting to teach.” (p103). The natural progression from this observation, was for Clark to argue for a more “deliberate, proactive, and nurturing school environment” (p113) but from here my main problem with the book began to surface.

Over and over Clark would diagnose the issue in a certain realm of adolescence, but rarely offer any practical or insightful solutions to such a diagnosis. For example, the chapter on family, while being true and insightful, was full of depressing diagnoses and then just an occasional hypothetical and fluffy solution towards the end. The identification of the issue of homes being increasingly dysfunctional and unsafe environments is totally crucial, but to offer a blanket statement of we need “parents who lovingly seek to understand… their son or daughter…” (p125) just isn’t a viable answer for so many midadolescents.

I found the ‘Ethics and Morals’ chapter to contain much of the same. The facts and statistics provided wonderful reading, but the sparse ‘be a better influence’ sentences often felt like a tacky and intangible solution to the ever decreasing morals of our adolescents.

However, part 3 of the book ‘Where Do We Go From Here’, did offer some relief to my concerns. Clark used this section to attempt to present some practical solutions. The fundamental take away from here was the acknowledgement that the responsibility of midadolascents does not rely solely on their parents. Clark appealed to the positive benefits of ‘village culture’ as a model for what our midadolescents are increasingly in need of. So we are given some practical advice eventually in light of the entire book. The struggle of the book is that it is left so late in the overall argument.

Upon reading and reviewing this book, the reality and complexity of the issue really dawned on me, and I realised much of my concerns came back to the issue of midadolescent abandonment itself, and not Clark’s dissection of the topic. Reading about the state of our midadolescents was honestly quite depressing, and it's certainly not Clark’s role to sort it all out in one book, let alone a possibility for anyone to do so. The research recorded here was nevertheless an honest glimpse into a world that our society is increasingly losing touch with, and for that I am thankful.

[Kate | KatesBookNook]

DNF. Got it from work, tried to read, got a headache and went crosseyed because the font and margins were so small. Looked for an audiobook- doesn’t exist. Soooo there might be good information in this book but I will never know

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chap Clark, author of Hurt - inside the world of today’s teenagers, is professor of youth, family and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, president of Parent Teen Seminars and author of fifteen books so has a wealth of experience in academia and in the world our youth live in.

Hurt gives the results of ethnographic and sociological research undertaken by Dr Clark into the lives of mid-adolescents (aged 13-18). He spent a sabbatical relief teaching at a Los Angeles County public school (high school) and 100’s of hours observing and interacting with students. Not content with just studying the students he went further and tested his conclusions with a many different young people throughout America.

What he found will shock and disturb you. Clark says adults have “abdicated their responsibilities to mold and shape teenagers everyday lives” and have abandoned them physically, emotionally and spiritually. He feels this is a result an upheaval beginning in the 60s that left many adults unable to cope with the demands of life.

Because of this a subculture of mid-adolescents has developed with its own rules and morals that use the same words as adults but redefines them with the result that adults and mid-adolescents end up talking at cross purposes and adolescents becoming even more distrustful of adults. Clark calls this the world beneath and says this phenomenon is not limited to "the world” but occurs in the systems and structures of the church.

Hurt is not an easy read because of the dense style of writing but it is too important a book to ignore.

[Nathan]

As part my training at a boys home, I read six books in one week on bringing up teenagers. In comparison, this one is average.



Clark does a good job of explaining what teenagers need and why (his research for the book wisely included much personal contact with youth). Yet most of his observations and suggestions are common to several other books.



The stand-out idea I took from this book: Adults have profoundly let down today’s youth (thus the title, Hurt). “Time spend with significant adults, especially parents, provides the most important environment for healthy adolescent development,” Clark writes.



My two thoughts about this idea: 1.) This is not really news to anyone, and 2.) For the person reading this book alone--not for work or an organization--it leaves him feeling insufficient and unable to really help. (“One fan, even a great one, is not enough,” writes Clark. While this may be true, it’s nearly impossible to do anything about it alone.)



On its own, the book was a good read, but there are others more informative and practical. I recommend one like Raising Cain instead.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a teenager (about fourteen or fifteen). I read it again when I was nineteen, and I plan on reading it again. As a teenager, I thought this book was comforting. It was nice to know that someone out there understood. In a world where adults make claims such as "I was a teenager once, and it wasn't that hard", it's confusing for a lot of kids. What adults tell their children, and what they expect life to be like for their kids, isn't always what it ends up being. Something is different from when they were teens. There's something harsh about today's teenage world, something that's far more severe and heavy than what older generations experienced. In this book, Chap Clark explains it clearly.

When I have teens, I hope I can look back on this book. Because even if the next generations changes from my generation, and even if this book doesn't apply to future teens, it at least puts into perspective the type of attitude parents should have. I encourage ANYONE who has problems with handling teenage years, whether you're a parents, teacher, or a teen...read this book. It's eye opening.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former youth pastor I was always extremely frustrated that other youth pastors very rarely, if ever, read books on adolescent development. Most of the books consumed by youth pastors I knew were pretty shallow. They were filled with ideas about event and programs and contained horrible exegesis. This book was one of the few exceptions. Very good information for anyone working with, or raising teenagers.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my class on counseling youth. It was a thought provoking book even though I do not agree with everything that was said. I think many of the points are over exaggerated, and we must all remember that the book was based on interviews of kids at one school (in CA I believe).

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book were 50 pages instead of 250, I might give it another star. It reads like an academic paper that is trying to reach a popular readership, and in my opinion it doesn’t succeed.

The author’s main objective is to show how mid-adolescents have been abandoned by society in general and by adults in particular; and as a result, are facing unprecedented challenges to healthy development.

According to the author, two of the main sources of this abandonment relate to families. First, the decline of stable marriages and the increase of cohabitation and divorce have deprived many kids of a stable family. Second, recent social revolutions such as the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the gender revolution of our times, have made it difficult for kids to form a stable identity and morality.

As a result of this abandonment, many mid-adolescents lack stable and nurturing relationships with adults, and so must look elsewhere for support. This leads many mid-adolescents to form unhealthy relationships and to create a secret life hidden from adults that involves behavior startlingly opposed to their public life and values (e.g. promiscuous and dangerous sexual activity, drugs, cheating, lying, unhealthy friendships). Worst of all, many of these young people seem unable or unwilling to admit there is anything wrong with living a life of radical duplicity.

I found the author’s argument persuasive, and I especially appreciated his first hand accounts of the teenagers he studied and the frightening double lives many seemed to lead. This book is a wake up call for naïve parents who think that their kids are sheltered from the moral confusion, identity crisis, relativism, and sexual immorality of 21st century American culture.

In my opinion, the book suffers from three problems. First, it is way too long (cut the lengthy introductory remarks to every section and sub-section!). Second, the author frequently switches between speaking as a sociologist (where he is credentialed) and speaking as a guy sharing his own opinions and advice. Even though his stated purpose was not to give solutions but to identify the problems and help his audience see through the eyes of modern kids, he ends up giving a lot of personal advice. Third, it is unclear exactly how representative the data pool for the author’s study was (and thus, how generally applicable his observations are).

My main takeaway: parents, spend more time with your kids, love them, set healthy boundaries, place their happiness before your own, and don’t be so naïve as to think that they aren’t being exposed to the same junk that everyone else is…

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dear Lord, Hurt was a letdown. This book was another that I borrowed from my roommate, in what I thought would be an almost hate-read of some nonsense guidance about how to talk to adolescents from, naturally, a middle-aged white man. To my chagrin, it ended up being exactly that, despite it starting out strong, touting itself as a "study" and "research" of what author Chap Clark calls "the world beneath," that intangible realm in which adolescents live and function. The book started off interesting, as it proposed to examine the life of teenagers and their struggles, but it quickly went downhill, being yet another example of an adult trying to understand kids but having no idea how to approach it—and by that I mean he appeared to have no idea how to talk to kids, let alone write a study on them.

Clark spent most of the book talking about his study. He'd say things like, "During my study I learned..." or "This study emphasized the point that..." but he was never actually the one to prove, explain, or quantify anything. Instead, he pulled from researchers and half-assedly added a few observations of his own, scattered in with some quotes supposedly from the high schoolers he was "studying," although I was skeptical that some of them would have conveniently said exactly what he wanted them to say. Then, when the topics of sex, partying and lying/cheating came up, Clark became extremely old-fashioned and judgmental, blaming adolescents for engaging in behaviors that he had literally just said were responses to their society and surroundings. Some supportive adult figure, huh? Good work, buddy, I'm sure this is going to help teens connect with you more.

I'm only eight years out of high school, and although my high school experience wasn't as traumatic as Clark makes it sound—and thus probably not really the kind of subject he wanted in this book—even I can identify more with teenagers now than Chap Clark did, despite his supposedly intensive study into their lives. (It was actually only a few months. Psht.) Nothing Clark said was ground-breaking or enlightening, and he never offered anything insightful about how to fix situations—especially when it came to himself and his pre-conceived nothings. He still took the moral high ground and acted better than all the adolescents he claimed he wanted to be learning about and understanding.

[Tiffany Gayle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the author claims this is a research study, from my experience as a graduate student, he employed and documented very few methods that are commonly used in research. In addition, he writes with the foregone conclusion that the past (30-40 or more years ago) was the perfect time for community and that young people have only felt alone since that "community" has disappeared from our lifestyle. I know, from interviews with my grandparents and great-grandparents, that the first half of the 20th century did not always include young people in community either.
I am a high school teacher, and when I read this book, it sounded like he had finally realized what young people were really like, even though he claims that he has been working with them for his entire life. All of his "findings" were things that I already knew from my experience as a teacher, but he phrased them as "the world beneath" - making it sound like he was shocked and surprised. Not to mention that the phrase creates a metaphor to hell, so while he is claiming he is on the side of young people, he is also comparing their world to hell. Hmmmm....
Reading this book felt like a waste of time, but I kept on and finished it just in case I could find some redeeming factors. While I will not argue against most of his "findings" (interviews with individual young people) are facts for today's adolescents or the fact that the adolescent years last longer now than in any other time known to man, his fundamental claim that young people are "abandoned" by society in the last few decades was never supported or proved in any tangible way with any viable research.

[Jeff Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parents, teachers, coaches, law enforcement and church leaders need to understand the vastly different and changing world of adolescence. Too often, we think “being a teen today is not much different than when I was a teen, only with more technology.” We couldn’t be more wrong.

This book details the main result of his research is that youth today feel abandoned. Their sense of abandonment derives from adults’ preoccupation with their own lives, issues, phobias and pursuits. Youth feel this deeply, and as Clark details, have created a “world beneath” in which adults are not trusted to tread. And yet we must if we are going to internationally nurture, love and guide today’s young people to become healthy adults.

[Aaron Chizmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main strength of this book is its description of the many issues teenagers face in our society. Clark does a fantastic job of giving a very nuanced, multi-faceted description of the issues.

The main shortcoming of this book is Clark’s prescription to fix the problems. Sometimes solutions aren’t given, and the reader is left with an unfixable problem. Sometimes the solution contradicts his description of the problem. For example, one of the problems is that teenagers are forced to do to many programs, and one of his solutions is to have more programs.

For me, it’s helpful to read this book alongside others that have more nuanced solutions on classroom management and procedures that help students feel safe and valued.

[Kaden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a very informative book. I knew a lot of the information beforehand so it wasn’t so to me. But if you’re looking to know more about adolescent development I do think that this book is a good one. A bit outdated, as it was revised in 2011, but nonetheless I think that it is still mostly very applicable. I wish it was a bit shorter. Clark goes into a lot of detail and tends to over explain himself. But I don’t mind him being thorough. I only read parts of it for class that’s mostly why it’s 3 stars and not 4. Overall takeaway: adolescents need adult support in their lives.

[Leanna Aker · Rating 2 out of 5]

The underlying message and intent of the book is important. I think the book has a bit of identity crisis. Is it a report of a qualitative research study? This is the author's claim. However, it reads more like a literature review with the same 4 or 5 books/studies cited. I think the narrative style of the book makes it seem like a poorly-presented research study, or maybe an opinion or summary of other research.

[Mallorie Kuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. A great read for anyone who interacts with teenagers. It offers great, much needed insight into the life and struggle of today's teens. It offers some ideas and strategies about how to help them, but also acknowledges that the solutions will look very different from place to place and teen to teen and I appreciate that humility in a book like this. It doesn't try to have all the answers, but it does help us to start asking the right questions.

[Alie Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening, fascinating, motivating

Another YL intro to youth ministry seminary classic. I was so thankful for this faith-informed look into the lives and development of teenagers. In particular, Clark's description of students predisposition to put on different "avatars" for different scenarios was intriguing and enlightening. I found a lot of the content from this book to be extraordinarily helpful in explaining Young Life's potential benefit to adolescents.

[Mary Houck · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this books contains some valuable and important insights, it's a book about teenagers that's 15 years old. It also fails to address security and gender issues except for a passing implication that a teen who has been raised by a same-sex couple is automatically 'at-risk', an assettion that would be laughable if discrimination were a laughing matter.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Background reading for a paper. Good balance between narrative and framework.

[Brenda Seefeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintessential youth ministry read. But Gen Z is very different from the research in this book. So some parts of this are too dated.

[Willy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great app to read your favorite genre of books

[Graydon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic account of teenage culture in America. If you work with teens and hope to build trust with them, this is a great read.

[Madison Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible look on adolescents today! Everyone that works with kids should read ¨̮

[Emma Goode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for work. Great research and perspective on teenagers and the needs they have that are not being met but current culture.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but already seems outdated

[Chrysten Lofton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I attended Camp Collide 2014 as a counselor and this book was a gift from the kind sponsors running the show. It was their way of investing in the adults, who could in-turn, invest in society's adolescents. I have given my full attention to this, & here is my review.
I do not 100% agree with everything here, but what I did find to be 'spot on' is too important not to address.

In order of importance, who I think this book is for, and wholly recommend it to

1. Everyone raising teenagers and children in general should read this book (If you have non-teen children, this could be especially relevant and may help avoid future adolescent turmoil). A special nod to Christian parents, because this book does have spiritual undertones, however, in the interest of a widespread message, the author did so carefully. Objectively, I found it in no way to be polarizing to a non-Christian reader. Go into the book with an open mind. The worse thing you can do is explore the opening premises and think, "Oh, well this isn't for my child. My child would never ______, and I've never been this kind of parent." Please consider that society has had just as much a hand in raising your children as you. The author's premises are not only accurate with extensive evidence, they are too vital for us to ignore.

2. Educators, public school employees all the way up the ladder, youth ministers and leaders, social workers and counsellors, coaches, and basically anyone who aspires to work with adolescents or already does should read this book. I would also like to include those who encounter youth, such as authorities, police, and government.

3. Teenagers themselves may consider reading this book as a tool to identify or shed light on events that may seem unclear, and to hear a resounding voice that there are adults that do seek to care and understand their journey.

4. Adults, ages 20-30 who are still wondering what the hell went wrong (You know who you are) should read this book.

4. Society at large should read this book, if only to bare witness and hold adolescent-responsible adults accountable for the lives of today's teen youth, the adults of tomorrow.

To address a mass complaint I've seen in other reviews, I will agree that this book does point out layers of issues and problems, and only briefly touches on solution. Here is why that happened.

1. The author has spent years on extensive research to address the WHAT of these problems, and doesn't want to corrupt it by listing off non-confirmed solutions, or "fluffy" answers. As he said, it would be insulting to the adolescent plight. They deserve more than shiny fake solutions.

2. It's frankly not his job. He came up with the data to present to a team of world changers and activists - that's you. His job now is to get involved with young people and hear what they have to say, and it's your job too. The solutions he listed included authentic care and trust. We don't need another 12 chapters on how to love. That comes from within.

3. This ties in to number 2, but he can't create solution on his own. The themes addressed here are on such a grand scale, it takes all of us in conjunction, talking to each other, to our kids, and to actually put action into bettering these awful circumstances. Furthermore, we can't keep generalizing their problems. They need to be addressed on a personal, intimate case-by-case basis. It takes one adult to affect one child for the better - it takes all of us to affect the generation at large.

This book does seem occasionally repetitive, but considering it's audiences, it has to be. It's trying to convince a very broad and unconvinced people that there has been a quiet, but nevertheless, brutal shift in our America. For those who follow that premise quickly, the redundancies can be skimmed.

I hope this isn't something adults just add to their "to read" list. I hope they sit down and give their attention to it. I wished this book had been read by my teachers and adult leaders when I was coming up.

[Ben Campopiano · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The adult agenda is not about what might work better for adolescents. It's all about let's control the kids, keep them incheck. That is the attitude that turns kids away." --PATRICIA HERSCH (p. 66)

"I cannot affirm that 'the picture of adolescence today is largely a very positive one.' I instead prefer the image of the vaudevillian plate spinner who is skilled at getting several plates to spin at once and even making it look easy at times. But the peformer and teh adudience both know that the plate spinner is one small event, decision, or experience away from having the entire show fall to pieces. The energy it takes to keep these spinning plates on their poles is taking its toll on the hearts and psyches of midadolescents." (p. 67)

"We must see the young as our kids, not someone else's problem - not the schools', the parents', the government's, or the media's. We must recognize that we have abandoned our young for decades and that it will take years to correct our indifference. We have no choice. As Williams Mahedy and Janet Bernardi argue, 'No society that alienates its youth and sets them adrift can continue to exist, for it is already in a state of collapse.'" (p. 70)

"When teenagers temporarily lose their heads, which most do, they need an adult to help them recover." --MARY PIPHER (p. 70)

"A high school teacher sees a student for less than an hour a day, and for the most part, that teacher's entire perception of the student is based on the external roles, behavior, and academic performance shown during that hour. A teacher almost never knows anything about the dynamics of the family system of the student, his or her friendships and internal struggles, or how other adults perceive him or her as he or she lives in the multiple layers crated by postmodern society. All too often a teacher makes a snap judgment about a student, and the student and parents are forced to live under that label until the end of the semester or year." (p. 95)

"Not only do midadolescent students not respect their teachers as teachers, but they actually enter a classroom prepared not to respect a teacher unless that teacher wins their respect." (p. 96)

"I asked Scott, the 2002-03 teacher of the year at the school where I did this studey, what it takes to be a great teacher. He said, 'The same thing it takes to be a great spouse, or parent, or coach, or leader in any setting. It's not mystical, and it sure isn't a secret. It is just caring enough for each person in front of you that they know they matter to you. To be a great teacher means I am allowed the privilege of being with great kids. They're the ones who deserve the award.'" (p. 101)

[Lacie Ernst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided good insight into the adolescent world and how it differs from the world I grew up in only 20 some years ago. Helped me to realize even more the importance of investing in teens; to help them realize that their identity/worth is not in what they do, but in who they are (the opposite message that our culture tells them daily.)
Some key points-

The external and internal systemic abandonment of midadolescents:

One of Clark’s main premises of the book is…”we as a society have allowed the institutions and systems originally designed to nurture children and adolescents to lose their missional mandate. In other words, society has systemically abandoned the young.”

Youth organizations have been a part of this abandonment…”Sports, music, dance, drama, Scouts, and even faith-related programs are all guilty of ignoring the developmental needs of each individual young person in favor of the organization’s goals.”

"By the time adolescents enter high school, nearly every one has been subjected to a decade or more of adult-driven and adult-controlled programs, systems, and institutions that are primarily concerned with adults' agendas, needs, and dreams."

Middle adolescents have a response to their abandonment…”Middle adolescents band together to create their own world where they hold the keys to dealing with their perception of abandonment and their need for relational stability, protection, social guidance, and belonging.”

It was interesting that many of the kids being studied during this 2 year period felt lonely and abandoned by their families/other adults despite all their activity/involvement. When they were home, they felt "hurried."

"We are a culture that has forgotten how to BE together. We have lost the ability to spend unstructured down time. Rather than being with children in creative activities at home or letting them "play," we as a culture have looked to outside organizations and structured agendas to fill their time and dictate their lives. Add to this the increasing amount of homework being assigned to students at younger and younger ages. The systemic pressure on American children is immense."

Wow- lots to think about....

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable read to any who work with adolescents or even those interested in today's youth.

This didn't gain the fifth star for me primarily because a lot of 'findings' didn't really strike me as new news. That is not to say that I learned nothing reading this book, there was much valuable insight. Clark did well in elucidating the abandonment adolescents experience today-- how they are left alone together to navigate in their own world beneath. Hurt certainly reinforced notions of understanding about adolescents I had previously developed. I found myself interacting with it and as I grazed back through my highlights and notes after finishing the book I found pages where I noted some adolescent needs.

On pg. 37 I noted Kids NEED to know and experience love
Many accounts reinforced my cry that Kids (and communities) NEED committed adults who care.(p. 38 states "even the hardest young soul cries out for someone who authentically cares")
On pg. 110 I noted kids NEED time with responsible, loving parents.
Pg. 119 I said, kids NEED to be affirmed in knowing they are more than the sports they play, the things they do and the decisions they make.
pg. 142 I noted that kids NEED to know they matter. They need to know how much they matter to us and to God.
finally on pg. 183 I noted that adolescents need more than one adult in their lives who cares about them and who invests in their life.

Clark does well in divulging the adolescent need for love and this is well summed in his statement, "[adults who care] have a long way to go to penetrate the layers of protection that keep us from being one more disappointment in a world filled with them. But I am convinced that we are welcome there, if we mean it. And they need us to mean it."

[Jared Barcelos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clark attempts to describe the ways in which adults have abandoned the midadolescent population, the results of this abandonment, and what adults can do now to work towards a brighter adolescent future. This is his main argument, and in some ways, he strengthens this with evidence, but more often than not he attempts to make his argument by glorifying the past and by making bold generalizations. After some setup with the first three chapters, each subsequent chapter is supposed to outline the effects of this abandonment in a separate teenage realm. However, these chapters are not extremely unique, and Mr. Clark seems to only to be looking for new ways to use the word "abandoned" in a sentence.

While what he is saying is important, he could have said it in 100 fewer pages, and he could have highlighted more meaningful evidence. While I felt at times that Clark had the evidence to prove his claims, the way much of the book is written makes it feel as if his work is based on conjecture and is more of an attempt to play on our emotions than to critically approach a subject he is passionate about.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is based on the author's thesis that mid-adolescents (high-school aged youth) are dealing with abandonment from individuals and social agencies; something we as their parents didn't deal with. This was a disconnect with me as well as the other members of the group I was reading it with as we all experienced abandonment to one degree or another. The constant comparrison to a what I deem a fantasy age made his arguments less legitimate. Nevertheless, his discussions of how teens feel and cope in this environment of abandonment were somewhat insightful. I wouldn't recommend it unless you actually lived the fantasy of fully engaged and supportive parents, teachers, and social agencies (youth group, school, etc.)and have no insight on what it means to feel abandoned. Not much practical help to go along with the explication.