ABSTRACT
The scientific study of adolescent development has burgeoned across the past four decades (Lerner & Steinberg, 2009). This growth has involved impressive increases in the quantity and quality of research devoted to this portion of the life span; marked increases in students seeking training in adolescent development; new investments by foundations and governmental bodies in addressing issues of health, education, employment, and civic engagement; and positive contributions to civil society of the 100 million individuals around the world who enter the adolescent decade each year (Lerner & Steinberg, 2009).
