Are we wrecking our teenagers by over-protecting them? That is the conclusion of Dr. Joe Allen. Newsweek sums up his book as follows:

Allen has concluded that our urge to protect teenagers from real life – because we don’t think they’re ready yet – has tragically backfired. By insulating them from adult-like work, adult social relationships, and adult consequences, we have only delayed their development. We have made it harder for them to grow up. Maybe even made it impossible to grow up on time.