Failure to Launch

Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up...and What to Do About It

By: Mark McConville Ph.D.

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

From an expert in adolescent psychology comes a groundbreaking, timely, and necessary guide for parents of the 2.2 million young adults in America who are struggling to find their way in the world.

In Dr. Mark McConville's decades of experience as a family clinical psychologist, perhaps no problem has been more fraught than that of young adults who fail to successfully transition from adolescence into adulthood. These kids--technically adults--just can't get it together: They can't hold a job, they struggle to develop meaningful relationships, and they often end up back in their parents' spare bedroom or on the couch. In fact, studies show that 1 in 4 Americans aged 25 to 34 neither work nor attend school, and it's a problem that spans all socioeconomic and geographic boundaries.

McConville investigates the root causes of this problem: Why are modern kids "failing to launch" in ever-increasing numbers? The key, McConville has found, is that they are struggling with three critical skills that are necessary to make the transition from childhood to adulthood--finding a sense of purpose, developing administrative responsibility, and cultivating interdependence. In Failure to Launch, McConville breaks these down into achievable, accessible goals and offers a practical guide for the whole family, to help parents instill those skills in their young adults--and to get their kids into the real world, ready to start their lives.

solid material for anyone interested in the subject

practicable and understandable. thorough, yet fairly concise. I'm trying to get 3 kids launched and the book has something applicable to them all, as well as myself. good narration of the audiobook too.

Such great information!!!

It hit home with whats going on in my daughters family. I love my 20-something grandson but he cant hold a job and really doesnt want one, doesnt want to go to school or even a trade school. The book hit home for my daughter and Ive recommended it to her.

Great book for introducing problem.

I will continue with this study. My problem took years to develop and it will probably take years to resolve. I will be searching for more answers. This book sure changed my thinking about my "failure to launch" adult.

Don’t let the title scare you off

This book has great advice and insight into young adults, whether yours is in your basement playing video games or struggles with certain aspects of “adulting.” Without judgment or preaching, the author lets you know what’s going on inside that young adult’s mind and how to help.

Relevant to what we are experiencing

There were so many similarities identified in the book that we are experiencing with our 21 year old son. the book helped my husband and I understand his situation and make adjustments in our understanding and rules we needed to create. highly recommend. we are still waiting for our son to Launch, but now celebrate small changes he is making to get him moving in the right direction. We had to stop nagging him and let him figure it out, that is the hardest and most frustrating change we had to make.