Who says the teen years have to be terrible? Although the word teenager has become synonymous with trouble, the evidence is clear: Adolescents have gotten a bad rap--and this according to a landmark eight-year study of 4,000 teens from twenty-five states. In "The Good Teen," acclaimed researcher Richard M. Lerner sets the record straight. The book: - Explores the academic origins of "the troubled teen," dismantling old myths and redefining normal adolescence- Presents the five characteristics of teen behavior that are proven to fuel positive development--Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring--and specific ways parents can foster them- Envisions our children as resources to be developed, not problems to be fixed- Clearly shows parents what to do when things really go wrong--all teens, no matter how troubled they seem, can be helped- Encourages new thinking, new public policies, and new programs that focus on the strengths of teens "There is no one in America today who understands teenagers better than Richard Lerner." --William Damon, author of "The Moral Child," professorof education, and director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence, Stanford University