Adolescence is the most misunderstood period of our lives. Coming of Age draws on a decade of
expert research to get beneath the stereotypes expose the myths and reveal the real reasons
why teens behave the way they do. Covering all the characteristic behaviours of adolescents -
from peer pressure and risk-taking to sex love bullying friendship and more - adolescent
psychologist Lucy Foulkes shows that time and again we mistake dismiss and even try to prevent
what is actually normal and healthy. Among many surprising insights she explains why
self-consciousness anxiety and sensation-seeking are crucial features of this developmental
phase. She shows that teenagers are socially conservative as much as rebellious and that
apparent recklessness is usually calculated. She reveals why being popular can be just as hard
as being lonely and why friendships at this age shape us for life. Adolescence is often
difficult sometimes extremely so and most of us have yet to come to terms with our own. And
yet Foulkes shows that adolescents have an extraordinary capacity for resilience empathy and
mutual support and that even the most challenging experiences are part of an essential process
of self-discovery. This is why understanding adolescence is the key to understanding ourselves.
