'Into Adulthood' helps parents understand and deal with the stages that their children go through after finishing school and moving into post-secondary study. The authors, counsellors at two Melbourne universities, work daily with problems faced by students and know well the stresses associated with the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
In 'Into Adulthood' they look at the emotional and behavioural responses of students and parents to these changes. many issues arise relating to separation from families and growing independence as the students struggle with questions such as 'Who am I? What do I believe in? What are my abilities? Am I gay or straight? What direction do I want my life to take?' and so on. They also examine the parent-child communication process with particular reference to 'difficult' subjects like drug and alcohol use/abuse and mental health issues.
The book considers issues that parents and students face: the challenges of the first year (often with minimal support from the college or university); the complications of sexual friendships and changing relationships with family; maintaining good communication; and the general life issues that the student faces in early adulthood.
