The Romance of Risk: Why Teenagers Do the Things They Do

by Lynn E. Ponton

Book Overview

Dr. Lynn Ponton has devoted her clinical practice to a particular community -- teenagers in trouble. Whether these kids are struggling with peers, experimenting with drugs, stealing cars, or having... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465070752
• ISBN13: 9780465070756
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

amazingly informative

I loved this book- although a little technical, it provided a wealth of information about how parents and teens should intereact around the topic of risk taking. I have found it useful in talking to my own teenage daughters.

Important read for parents

I found this book to be very interesting and easy to read and recommend it to other parents. Dr. Ponton uses colorful examples from her work with teens to explain the motivations behind some of the dangerous and not so dangerous things our kids do. Moreover, she makes the important argument that teenage risk taking is a normal part of development in our culture. I felt like I was in better shape to relate to and understand my teenager after reading the book. Her other book on adolescent sexuality is also good.

Outstanding perspective on needs and motives of adolescents

Dr. Ponton writes an unusual book that gives voice to troubled teens and their families, using their engaging stories to teach about contemporary adolescence. As the reader eavesdrops on these lives through absorbing narrative, accounts of therapy, thoughtful reflection and application to relevant issues, and analyses of family interactions, important facts and facets of adolescent development and devlopmental issues are learned almost effortlessly. The book is engaging and at times exciting, as we come to know these teens and their struggles. The variety of teens and adolescent problems profiled is impressive--from the general need to explore and define the self (Jill) to gang involvement and aggression (Evan and Cecilia), from drugs and sexual activity to self-mutilation, depression and anorexia nervosa. Readers also learn about mental health services, and how therapy helps adolescents and families grow and change. This is a terrific book for parents, educators, any mental health field worker, or teens themselves! I used this book as a supplemental reader to a course I taught in adolescent development at a major university where I am a doctoral student in clinical psychology. Students loved it, and several bought copies as gifts for their parents or other family members. I will be using it again for a section of Adolescent Development I will be teaching in spring semester, 1999.

"Excellent, enjoyable and well written, overall smashing"

This book was like a box of chocolates, so many great and spiffy stories to read and I didn't know which to choose. I advise anybody with free time and an intrest in teenagers or just an intrest in finding out about the meaning of adolesence to read this great book!

The most provacative,well written book I have read in years.

The content of this book was so thought-provoking and informative about adolescence that I wanted to give it to my teenage daughter to read. The stories aout the teens are exciting, helping me understand my teenage years and my daughters'. This book should be read by every parent and teenager!