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. 'Fascinating moving . . . there is insight and kindness
throughout this book' Daily Mail 'Wise and compassionate well-researched and
straight-talking . . . shows how today's adolescents can be helped to flourish in life' Dr
Gavin Francis author of Recovery 'Excellent and insightful . . . expertly presented . . .
Foulkes is steeped in knowledge about as well as respect for teenage life' Observer
'Hopeful inspiring . . . leaves you with a greater understanding of your own adolescence and
greater compassion for those currently in its throes' Camilla Nord author of The Balanced
Brain 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. 'Wonderful and deeply
moving . . . shows us the potentially positive aspects of adolescent experiences so often seen
as negative' MARK HADDON 'Myth-busting . . . eye-opening . . . delivers many
counter-intuitive insights' Guardian 'Thank goodness . . . for this timely . . . and
eminently sensible book . . . You will read this book and sigh in recognition . . . just
knowing that everything they - and we - struggle with is normal and necessary is helpful'
Telegraph 'A must read for everyone interested in what is going on with adolescents' Essi
Viding Professor of Developmental Pyschopathy UCL 'Compelling useful and fascinating . . .
revealing adolescence's unwritten rules' JO BRAND 'Comprehensive accessible and super
useful' Dr Tara Porter clinical psychologist and author of You Don't Understand Me
