Why Youth is Not Wasted on the Young: Immaturity in Human Development

Humans take longer to reach maturity than most other species on earth. We are the Peter Pans of the Animal Kingdom. In this engaging and insightful look at the nature of childhood, developmental psychologist David Bjorklund applies more than 30 years of research and writing experience to understand not only why humans have evolved this way, but what role this period of immaturity plays on the social, emotional, and educational needs of todays children. Challenging common perceptions of children as simply adults in training, Why Youth is Not Wasted on the Young urges readers to re-examine childhood through an evolutionary lens, seeing it as an essential stage of development with its own unique purposes, separate from those of adulthood; a time of growth and discovery that should not be rushed.