Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Youth, Family, and Culture)

I was attracted to the book because I work with teens, and I agree that many adolescents have been abandoned to grow up without much guidance, supervision, or support. It has been my belief this began when the structure of the family began to fall apart, which includes the growth in the number of poor, single parents, and two-career parents that both work "corporate" hours. Also, there has been a trend of parents doing whatever they want to make them happy (divorce, dating, moving a lot, etc.), and dragging their children along for the ride.I was seeking ideas, in the small amount of time I interact with teens, to influence them in a positive way, such as having a strong work ethic, getting training or education beyond high school, and certainly not dropping out of high school. I can't really say that I got any new ideas. The teens described in this book seem like stereotypical teenagers wanting to be adults, not wanting any rules, disrespectful, experimental, stressed out, and naive. It seemed like the author was saying that if adults attempt to influence teens, then the adults are pushing their agenda on the teens, and that the teens are only working hard at school or sports to please the parents, and not themselves. That teens have power and have a voice, and should make their own decisions. I'm not sure is that includes playing video games until 2:00 a.m. every night, which is what many of the teens I work with choose to do.I got a sense that individualism, power, and status were all negatives, and always doing what is best for the group as positive. This seems counter to the brazenly independent Europeans who came to America originally, and from which we are almost all descended from. I'm not sure how realistic it is to have a goal of Americans acting like the Japanese.The author seemed shocked by teens having sex and doing drugs, which was occurring when I was in high school in the 70s, but opposite of that, the author spoke negatively about adults who expected teens to act like the adults did when they were teenagers, when it came to hard work and attitude.I was very disappointed in the suggestions concerning youth sports. I believe the movement that began in the early 90s to create youth sports leagues where everyone plays and everyone gets a trophy to be the basis for the young adults we have today that have such an attitude of entitlement. The athletes know who is talented and who isn't, no matter what their age. To reward a child who gave little effort, came to half the practices, and didn't care if he made errors, is to reward mediocrity. Do that enough times, and you create a young adult who believes they deserve something for nothing.I saw very little mention of any efforts to create accountability on the part of the parents. I would think communities would put programs in place for them, also, and not just expect members of the community to spend many hours and many dollars attempting to "fix" how the parents affected their child.

I bought this book to help me better understand the kids I volunteered with at the juvenile detention center. I found it extremely interesting and insightful. But one thing held me up - the author wrote something along the lines of, "I know these things I'm describing may seem hard to believe..." And it didn't seem hard for me to believe at all - when I read it it all made total sense and resonated with me. Then I read the appendix (describing the research methods) and discovered that the studies supporting the book were performed in the early 2000s, when I was in Middle School/High School. So the book resonated with me because it described me. I bought it to understand the hurts for the youth I worked with, and I also came away understanding my own hurts. I would highly recommend this book for anyone working with teenagers today, and also for anyone born in the 80s/90s who wants deeper insight into your own pains of youth.

What is the book about?"Hurt 2.0' is about getting inside the world of today's teenagers. Chap's purpose is to share how life is different for today's high school students.What do I think about it?The research, stories, and candor is fantastic. This book will pop the eyes and open the minds of those who work with teens.What got me pumped up?The real-life-hold-nothing-back approach is wonderful . I don't have teenage kids yet but this book has given me tremendous insight into what is combating the way my wife and I want to raise our children.What was deflating?I thought there would be more updated material. Yes, there are a couple of new chapters as well as new stories here and there but for the most part this book is paragraph-for-paragraph of the first version."So, would you recommend it?"Of course, you can't go wrong with Chap's research! But if you're expecting a whole lot more than what was included the first edition then you won't get it.

While others have written on this topic from research based on articles and other books, Chap Clark gets his hands dirty in the world of teens. In so doing, his heart for those misunderstood by many in Western Society is evident. His research is good; his speculations, deep; his conclusions, solid and challenging. As a Youth Pastor, it is easy for me to read books like this and feel overwhelmed by the amount of work to do to regain ground lost due to distrust, selfish ambitions, and ignorance caused by those adults who desire to remain uninformed about the world of today's teenager. Instead, books like this ought to make us think about what we can change in ourselves to best reach those around us. May we aspire to do so by the grace and mercy of Jesus.

Clark continues the Hurt series with updated research in an attempt to keep up with the ever-changing world of the adolescent. He makes some very interesting points in terms of abandonment that adolescents experience, due to significant adults in their lives not being there. In our modern society, we have to remember the impact of always being on the run, dual income households, high divorce rates, and not keeping our number one goal in mind, insuring our own future by meeting the needs of the adolescents that will make up our care-takers later in life. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a unique perspective of the modern adolescent world.

Really insightful although sometimes repetitive and a little too clinical for my taste. I am trudging through, however, because it is important information that I wish I could share with every adult who works with youth, especially the high-risk youth I work with! Thank you, Chap Clark, for sharing your time in the trenches!

Chap’s research is thorough and communicated very well. This has helped me realize some gaps in my own ministry and how I can serve my students better as an adult in their lives. I especially valued the chapter on students in the margins. A must read for all adults.

I read hurt and enjoyed it so I then read hurt 2.0 and there is good content but I find the authors rambles too much. This makes his good points lose their significance.

Great!

A great book very helpful for parents & you leaders