The Promise of Adolescence : Realizing Opportunity for All Youth by Committee on the Neurobiological and Socio-behavioral Science of Adolescent Development and Its Applications

Adolescence-beginning with the onset of puberty and ending in the mid-20s-is a critical period of development during which key areas of the brain mature and develop. These changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity mark adolescence as a period of opportunity to discover new vistas, to form relationships with peers and adults, and to explore one's developing identity. It is also a period of resilience that can ameliorate childhood setbacks and set the stage for a thriving trajectory over the life course. Because adolescents comprise nearly one-fourth of the entire U.S. population, the nation needs policies and practices that will better leverage these developmental opportunities to harness the promise of adolescence-rather than focusing myopically on containing its risks. This report examines the neurobiological and socio-behavioral science of adolescent development and outlines how this knowledge can be applied, both to promote adolescent well-being, resilience, and development, and to rectify structural barriers and inequalities in opportunity, enabling all adolescents to flourish. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummaryPart I: Adolescence as a Period of Opportunity1 Introduction2 Adolescent Development3 How Environment "Gets Under the Skin": The Continuous Interplay Between Biology and Environment4 Inequity and AdolescencePart II: Using Developmental Knowledge to Assure Opportunity for All Youth5 Introduction6 Education7 Health System8 Child Welfare System9 Justice System10 The Scientific OpportunityReferencesAppendix A: Assessing the EvidenceAppendix B: Youth EngagementAppendix C: Biosketches ofCommittee Members and StaffBoard on Children, Youth, and Families
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