Suggests that society is increasingly hostile to youth, fixating on progress and success rather than treasuring children's genuineness and carefree innocence. Recommends giving children space to grow; becoming aware of what children say, think, and want; and discovering the limitations of goodness as a goal for child behavior. (DLH)

At the Search Institute in Minneapolis (Minnesota), researchers study 6th-12th graders nationwide, identifying developmental assets to growing up healthy and happy. They suggest that adults surround children with external assets (support, boundaries and expectations, empowerment, and constructive time use) to help them develop values and skills…