Amazon John R. Morella, Ph.D. Category:  Parenting Publisher: American Book Publishing ISBN-10:  1589825837 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 252 Copyright: 2009 ISBN-13: 9781589825837 A positive look at our thirty-million teens in our country. The book exposes negative myths and dispells negative stereotypes and provides guidance for parents of teens. Give Teens a Break! was launched by American Book Publishing on January 15, 2010, written for the lay-person, without psychological jargon, 252 pages.  The author conducted surveys of high school and college students and compared this data to regional, national and international data.  Eight myths were exposed that has casted teens as conflicted, dysfunctional and a stage full of "strom and stress."  Not true. Numerous topics are covered: drug use, sexuality, self and body image issues, divorce coping, gender identity confusion, obesity, and many more.  Both teenagers and adults can benefit from the advice sprinkled throughout the research on how to interact and build positive, lasting relationships.  It's time to foster a more postive image of our teens, and give them a break.  One chapter is written especially for the teen. Excerpt Chapter 8: Message to Teens Okay teens, let's admit to yourselves(and to your parents who are reading this chapter) that you can be, at times, a real pain-in the butt. You know you are, so be honest and accept that some of your behaviors would disturb the most patient, understanding, and tolerant of parents: you ignore them, ignore their rules, ignore their advice; you don't do what you say you will do; you argue and fight with your siblings;you don't answer their questions; you roll your eyes at them; you often don't tell the truth, or give partial truths; you never really want to be around them: and this is only a partial list of 'pain-in-the butt" moments. There are times you think privately, "I hate them," and there are times, in your fury, you verbalise that throught. You peceive them as taking away your rights,freedoms, and simply plotting to make your life miserable. You think this nonsense and, as a result, not-so-good feelisng will follow. What you think is what you feel. I'm not sure if you agree with me that your behaviors, as a developing adult, can cause stress on your parents. Well, trust me. As a parent who 'raised' two teens and, additionally, as a psychologist who saw hundreds of teens and their parents in psychotherapy, teens do create angst. Understand that your parents want to protect you, keep you safe: from drugs, STDs, pregnancy, school failure, auto wrecks, undesirable peers associations, eating disorders, and a whole host of potential dangers that lurk in our society. They read the daily newspaper, watch television, and converse with other parents of teens. They get scared of the potential pitfalls that might assail you, whom they cherish. Yes, your parents have trouble letting go of their perceived power to control you and are frightened by your willinfness to take risks. Your aprents are not infalliable and neither are you.

Great Book! Great Job!
GIVE TEENS A BREAK! is a real wake up call for parents, teachers, coaches and counselors who may have unconsciously fallen into mediocrity. Understanding and knowing how to relate to today's teens is a challenge and a question often asked. This book gives great pointers and tips that I think every adult role model that works with youth needs to read. Perfect 10!

Jeff Yalden, Renowned Youth motivational Speaker, MTV MADE Teen Life Coach and Teen Author

Unigue and Refreshing
What a unique and refreshing book on teenagers. Dr. Morella does not perpetuate the worn-out myths that negatively stereotype our teens. This is a book with an optimistic and positive perspective of teenagers and debunks the conventional thinking that adolescence is a troubled, dysfunctional and conflicted age. Contrary to the media's shewed perception of teenasgers, a case is made to provide a positive selffulfilling prophecy. The book is written in a conversational style and offers both the layperson and the professional something to "chew on."

Dr.Joseph Guarisco, M.D.,hero of Hurricane Katrina, and voted outstanding Ochsner Hospital Foundation physcian; he has been interviewed on CNN, Today Show, Larry King Live and several other national programs as well as quoted in the New York Times and Wall Steet Journal.

A must read for parents.
This is a must read for parents, teens and professionals who interact with adolescents. This book clearly, and consistently proffers the thesis that teenagers are not the monsters that we think they are. In fact, "they deserve a break." Through published studies and direct responses from teens, we are presented with a different picture of adolescents. In addition, tha author presents his own personal family history, as well as data from his clinical practice, and anecdotal information from direct interactions with teens that support his thesis. An important and unique feature of this book is selected listing of internet websites. These resources should prove to be very informative and helpful to those who are truly interested in making a difference in the lives and well-being of teens and their families.

Dr. Aline M. Garrett, Ph.D., Retired Professor & Psychology Department Head,University od Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana