Terri Apter

The Myth of Maturity

What Teenagers Need from Parents to Become Adults

"Parents and young adults alike should benefit from the advice in Apter's insightful book."—Washington Post

What do young people at the threshold of adulthood really need and want? Why do so many responsible and motivated teenagers become young adults who are still dependent, financially and emotionally, on their parents? Why are many young people today so quick to leave childhood behind, but so slow to become adults?

In this wise and compassionate book, Terri Apter debunks outdated and misguided ideas about maturity: Acting in the name of love, many parents withdraw emotional or practical support, thinking it best for a son or daughter to solve his or her own problems—even to suffer alone the consequences of mistakes. Apter shows us that young adults actually need a parent's guidance and support, while also requiring respect and independence. Based on carefully observed case studies and current research, this book describes how we can support young people through a crucial stage in their development.


Terri Apter is a renowned social psychologist and researcher at Cambridge University in England. She is the author of Altered Loves and The Confident Child.
Myth of Maturity book jacket

Also Available:
The Confident Child

Confident Child book jkt


June 2002 / paperback / ISBN 0-393-32317-X / 6" x 8" / 288 pages / Parenting
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