ABSTRACT
In 1981, David Elkind wrote, “the concept of childhood, so vital to the traditional American way of life, is threatened with extinction …” (Elkind, 1981, p. 3). He was referring to the tremendous stress placed on children by a society that pressures them to think, behave, and dress like adults. Fifteen years later, our nation’s children are subjected to even more adult life situations than Elkind described. The higher rate of divorce, single-parent families, children living with chronic illness, violence, and poverty have forced children to take on more adult responsibilities and roles. No longer guaranteed protection and safe-keeping by adults, large numbers of children must negotiate their way through difficult life situations alone. Children need coping skills more than ever.
