Failure to Launch

Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up...and What to Do About It

From an expert in adolescent psychology comes a groundbreaking, timely, and necessary guide for parents of the 2.2 million young adults in America who are struggling to find their way in the world.

In Dr. Mark McConville's decades of experience as a family clinical psychologist, perhaps no problem has been more fraught than that of young adults who fail to successfully transition from adolescence into adulthood. These kids--technically adults--just can't get it together: They can't hold a job, they struggle to develop meaningful relationships, and they often end up back in their parents' spare bedroom or on the couch. In fact, studies show that 1 in 4 Americans aged 25 to 34 neither work nor attend school, and it's a problem that spans all socioeconomic and geographic boundaries.

McConville investigates the root causes of this problem: Why are modern kids "failing to launch" in ever-increasing numbers? The key, McConville has found, is that they are struggling with three critical skills that are necessary to make the transition from childhood to adulthood--finding a sense of purpose, developing administrative responsibility, and cultivating interdependence. In Failure to Launch, McConville breaks these down into achievable, accessible goals and offers a practical guide for the whole family, to help parents instill those skills in their young adults--and to get their kids into the real world, ready to start their lives.

solid material for anyone interested in the subject

practicable and understandable. thorough, yet fairly concise. I'm trying to get 3 kids launched and the book has something applicable to them all, as well as myself. good narration of the audiobook too.

Such great information!!!

It hit home with whats going on in my daughters family. I love my 20-something grandson but he cant hold a job and really doesnt want one, doesnt want to go to school or even a trade school. The book hit home for my daughter and Ive recommended it to her.

Excellent

This book helped me to understand what is happening with my emerging adult son and identified my role as an enabler along with tools to change how I show up for him. This is a must read for parents who are seeing their college students struggling with being responsible.

Excellent Book!

This book helped me to "remember" some of the ways I struggled as a teen and that was before the age of all the technology.

Alas, some things never change and this book helped me understand my now growing teens and soon enough into adulthood.

Very practical advice

Great book that made me realize I wasn’t alone. Many of the stories resonated with me in many ways. Every parent of a teenager should read it.