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The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us about Our Kids Hardcover – April 15, 2003

by Barbara Strauch (Author)

37 customer reviews

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The first book to provide a scientific explanation of the mysterious, infuriating, and downright weird behavior of teenagers.

A mother paces the living room waiting for her sixteen-year-old son to come home hours past his curfew. When he finally saunters in, he answers every question with a blank stare, dashes to his room, and slams the door. The mother, stunned and angry, thinks “It’s just hormones, right?”

Wrong. While raging hormones and an inclination toward rebellion are major players in the teenage drama, an area north of the gonads is directing the show: the brain. In The Primal Teen, Barbara Strauch examines the cutting-edge scientific discoveries that are providing vital new information about what makes teens tick.

Until recently, scientists believed the brain had largely finished its development by the teenage years. But breakthrough research by leading neuroscientists now shows that the adolescent brain is an intensely busy work-in-progress, transforming some sections, radically pruning the synaptic connections, while strengthening those connections that remain. This immense “rewiring” project provides new clues to explain the swift mood changes, out-of-character responses and reactions, and even the acts of sheer stupidity that have puzzled parents throughout history. Strauch not only sheds new light on these breakthrough findings, she shows how understanding the basis of teenage behavior can lead the way to a saner and smoother relationship between parents and their kids. Through interviews with scientists, teenagers, parents, and teachers, she explores common challenges — why teens can be so articulate and mature one day and so morose the next, why they engage in risky behavior, and why some kids struggle while others bloom — and offers practical strategies to help parents and kids manage these often difficult years.

The Primal Teen is a major step forward in deciphering and responding to the moody metamorphosis all teenagers go through.

The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us about Our Kids

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Strauch, medical science and health editor at the New York Times, sets out to offer reassurance to parents baffled by their kids' seemingly irrational and erratic behavior. She discusses the latest research, including brain scans that show changes in the brain's structure and function that could explain the crazy behavior exhibited by teens. In addition to reviewing various research projects around the country, Strauch also includes discussions with both parents and teenagers. Parents lament their inability to understand why a straight-A student suddenly loses interest in school or starts behaving miserably. The teens are surprisingly open about their often ill-advised behavior, but seem unable to offer reasons for such actions. One possible explanation, still debated by scientists, is whether adolescence is a critical brain period, that is, an important period of development. Particularly interesting is the chapter Crazy by Design, in which Strauch offers evidence of the cognitive and emotional development of teens. Just as there are growth spurts for babies and young children, there are developmental milestones for teens roughly ages 11, 15 and 19. For example, While a younger teen might see a parent as a hypocrite if he holds two opposing views, an older teenager would begin to understand how two things can be true at the same time, and weigh the evidence for each. While the book does not offer how-to guidance, readers will be struck by the wonderfully candid comments by those interviewed as well as Strauch's insightful narrative.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Contrary to what scientists have assumed until recently, teenagers act weird not because of hormones but because their brains are still trying to get all the wiring right. From the health and science editor at the New York Times.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product details

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (April 15, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385503393
ISBN-13: 978-0385503396
Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #93 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Adolescent Psychology
- #117 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Adolescent Psychology
- #389 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Parenting > Teenagers

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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars

5 star		78%
4 star		6%
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Top Customer Reviews

still a must read for youth workers and parents

ByMark Oestreicheron May 17, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

there aren't many books i read more than once. but this is my third read of barbara strauch's must-read book for all youth workers and parents. this single book has lead me into more youth ministry conversations in the past 5 years than any other single book. i've hosted multiple multi-day retreats with youth workers focused solely on the findings reported on these pages (including one a couple months back, which is what caused me to read it again). but now, as i write this review, i'm in a new quandry: robert epstein's book, teen 2.0 (which i'm reading right now), counter-punches against many of the underpinnings of the primal teen. epstein doesn't buy the "nature" assumption that seems an implied foundation to this book (and, more accurately, the research and discoveries of jay giedd and other adolescent brain specialist that the primal teen reports on). epstein's contention -- which he builds very convincingly -- is that the issues and implications of new findings in adolescent brain development are a "nurture" issue. in other words, we've created them. i still think strauch's book is a book every youth worker needs to read, but i'm now viewing it from a more critical place.

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Adolescent Angst via MRI

ByThe SpinozanatorVINE VOICEon December 18, 2004

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Why do teen-aqers shoplift, vandalize, argue illogically, indulge in high-risk activities, pierce their bodies, and exude obnoxious behavior (feel free to add items to this list)?

MRI studies of brain component size and activity document that adolescents' brains are unfinished, are chock full of neurological and hormonal changes, and work differently than the brains of adults.

In 1997, neuroscience made a surprising discovery. In early adolescence, the brain's gray matter - its outer layer - thickens, then dramatically thins out. In brain thickening, tiny branches of cells bloom madly, a process called "exuberance." This is followed by "pruning." As adolescence progresses, "there is an enormous loss of gray matter...a wholesale slashing of cell branches & synapses...a massive synaptic re-organization." This is very much like what happens at birth through late childhood, but scientist didn't realize that it happens again in adolescence.

"The frontal lobes, the very area that helps teen-agers make the right decisions, are the very last areas to reach stability...When shown fear producing images, teen-age brains 'lit up' in the amygdala, a key area for instinctual reactions such as fight or flight, anger, or 'I hate you, Mom.' When adults were shown the same stimulus, they 'lit up' in the frontal lobes...What can we expect if that inhibition machinery, the pre-frontal cortex, is not yet fully formed?"

This book tells us to maintain vigilance, appropriate consequences for behavior, and some influence over that all-important peer group. At the same time, take it easy. "The old instinctual knowledge familiar to our grandparents 'They'll grow out of it,' now has a modern scientific foundation."

0Comment 9 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Helps understand teenagers

ByAbbasgirlon June 9, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is helpful research. I've shared this book with a friend of mine as well as our son who is working with a group of first and second year college students. I believe the reading of this book, would be helpful for people planning a family, or in the midst of raising children.

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Why do teens do what they do

ByAmazon Customeron December 11, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

WOW. Did you ever wonder why teens do crazy things? We as adults are many times perplexed as to some of the things our teens do. We think "Don't they know better?" My daughter used to spend time doing homework and then not turn it in the next day. When asked why she did not turn the work in, she would reply "i don't know" I could not fathom this. After reading this book it makes so much more sense. As a counselor at a high school, I am amazed at what teens do. I now have some idea and it makes sense.
I recommend this book to all the parents and staff I work with in understanding the teenager. Well worth the money.

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Worth the time

ByKristi S Palominoon February 4, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A very well written of the incredibly complex teenage brain. Great insight from research and scientists. Real life anecdotes many can relate to with their own teenagers. I gained understanding and sympathy for the choices teenagers makes on a daily basis.

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Good Read for Parents, Not Neurologists

ByExtreme Mom & Educatoron February 23, 2006

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This was a good read for parents of teens or pre-adolescents who are not in the medical field or some related field. The author is not a researcher but a journalist putting together what they've learned about the topic. (Some parents may have already done this for themselves.) It's not as detailed as someone well-read on the topic may hope, but for someone just becoming interested, perhaps someone experiencing shocking episodes in their own home with their own primal teen, it's a good starter book! Glad she put it together. Hopefully there's more to come with more neurological detail.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Must Read!

By1962VWBeetleon August 12, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you have a child approaching or already a teenager, this book is a must read!!

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A must read for teen advisors and parents

ByD. Clarkon February 22, 2005

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I have referred this books to many other parents, our school advisors, and other professionals. Barbara's work is incredible, humorous, timely, and full of rich meaningful content.

I use this book as a mental framework for understanding teens, not that I subscribe to the brain development as the only explanation of teen behavior.

A book to read, re-read, and take to parenting groups.

Vastly sage, articulate, and informative.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

good book Read more

Published 1 year ago by aliza

Five Stars

wonderful book to better understand your teen Read more

Published on February 24, 2015 by mother of 3

Best book ever for parents of teens ready to pull ...

Best book ever for parents of teens ready to pull your hair out. Easy reading but lots of good info.Read more

Published on January 5, 2015 by Ruth casady

Five Stars

Really Interesting Read more

Published on October 17, 2014 by Mary Jo Jacobs

Great book

Great book Read more

Published on September 26, 2014 by AMH

A must read for teen parents!

A counselor suggested this book and it is a must read for parents of teens or for people who work with teens.Read more

Published on September 22, 2014 by Danita Jones

Great guide to raising teens

This is an excellent book for those living with teens or working with teens. Lots of great answers to the questions, "What's wrong with you?" or "Why did you do that?Read more

Published on December 7, 2011 by A. Weatherspoon

Adult help book about teens

This book was recommended by another book I was reading. When I got the book I was pleased. It came when they said it would and in great shape.Read more

Published on August 18, 2011 by Rachel Parks

Not great, not terrible

This book is not very insightful. While giving several examples of teen behavior, it is a basic book of what teens do.Read more

Published on December 15, 2010 by Bulldog

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