Resiliency: What We Have Learned

About this book

Ten years ago resiliency theory was relatively new to the fields of prevention and education. Today it is at the heart of hundreds of school and community programs that recognize in all young people the capacity to lead healthy successful lives. The key as Benard reports in this synthesis of a decade and more of resiliency research is the role that families schools and communities play in supporting and not undermining this biological drive for normal human development. Of special interest is the evidence that resiliency prevails in most cases by far even in extreme situations such as those caused by poverty troubled families and violent neighborhoods. Benards analysis of how best to incorporate research findings to support young people is both realistic and inspirational. It is an easy-to-read discussion of what the research has found along with descriptions of what application of the research looks like in our most successful efforts to support young people.