Authoritative Communities The Scientific Case for Nurturing the Whole Child [Paperback]

This unique book offers insight into a new social science concept, authoritative communities. Unlike any other volume, Klines work facilitates the continuing dialogue about the needs of children and teens and societys responsibility to nurture its greatest human capital. The report that led to the development of this volume, Hardwired to Connect, identified a need in todays children and youth and communicated a solution that society believes is valid.

Authoritative Communities: The Scientific Case for Nurturing the Whole Child introduces innovative solutions based firmly in the childrens mental health and resilience literature and in the hypothesis that humans are hardwired to connect. These authoritative communities consist of such individuals and institutions as parents, teachers, coaches, elders, and a variety of organizations that are committed to each others well-being over the long-term and who instill children with prosocial values such as empathy and compassion. Living within these communities enables children and youth to develop a consistent sense of purpose and meaning, so that they, in turn, are able to grow up to be responsible, productive, and nurturing adults.

The comprehensive coverage in this volume bring new insights and evidence to the nature/nurture debate from developmental, attachment, neurobiological, spiritual, and community perspectives, including:

• Nurturing as a protective factor against genetic predispositions.
• Counteracting the adverse influence of the media on children.
• Promoting a sense of community in disadvantaged youth.
• Spiritual approaches, from the Buddhist minding children with mindfulness to traditional young mens rites of passage.