Extensive interviews with members of the 96th Congress reveal their religious outlook which cuts across denominational lines and is linked to voting patterns

Religion on Capitol Hill: Myths and Realities

Politics & Social Sciences

Benson, Peter L.

Williams, Dorothy L.

Politics & Government

Harpercollins

Religion on Capitol Hill, through its pointed illustration of the influence of the religious factor in the policy-making process, has earned a well-deserved reputation among political scientists as a "classic." It demonstrates the fallibility of the popular myths surrounding the place of religion in Congress and sheds light on their correlation with political affiliation and voting records. Proven an excellent supplement for courses in religion and politics, religion and society, and the sociology and psychology of religion, it fills a critical gap by addressing the themes growing out of the increasing interest in the relationship between religion and legislation.

Religion & Spirituality

Religious Studies

Oxford University Press

Sparks: How Parents Can Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers

In this practical book, Dr. Peter Benson, a leading authority on childhood and adolescence, describes a simple yet powerful plan for awakening the spark that lives inside each and every young person. Sparks―when illuminated and nurtured―give young people joy, energy, and direction. They have the power to change a young person’s life from one of “surviving” to “thriving.” Grounded in new research with thousands of teenagers and parents, Sparks offers a step-by-step approach to helping teenagers discover their unique gifts, and works for all families, no matter their economic status, parenting situation, or ethnic background.

Parenting & Relationships

Parenting

Jossey-Bass

The research evidence is clear: Not only is serving others theologically appropriate, but youth who serve others are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and are less likely than other youth to be involved in at-risk behaviors. Beyond Leaf Raking presents a foundation for youth service, shows how to integrate service-learning into youth ministry, and features stories and illustrations from congregations. In addition, this resource includes practical checklists, worksheets, surveys, guidelines for congregations, and a formal evaluation tool for measuring the impact of service of youth.

Beyond Leaf Raking: Learning to Serve/Serving to Learn (Essentials for Christian Youth! Series)

Roehlkepartain, Eugene C.

ABINGDON PRESS *

The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence breaks new ground by articulating the state of knowledge in the area of childhood and adolescent spiritual development. Featuring a rich array of theory and research from an international assortment of leading social scientists in multiple disciplines, this book represents work from diverse traditions and approaches – making it an invaluable resource for scholars across a variety of disciplines and organizations.

The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence (The SAGE Program on Applied Developmental Science)

Ebstyne King, Pamela

Wagener, Linda M.

Sage Publications, Inc.

This thoughtful book should be read by anyone--parents, youth workers, ministers, community leaders, and policymakers--concerned about the future of America's children and the vitality of communities which they love. --Emmy Werner, University of California, Davis, author of Overcoming the Odds Based on research from the renowned Search Institute, this groundbreaking critique of American culture offers practical strategies for uniting and mobilizing communities around a shared vision of healthy development. Peter L. Benson introduces forty developmental assets-building blocks of healthy development. These assets--such as family support, intergenerational relationships, clear and consistent boundaries and expectations, participation in constructive activities, and community focus on values--are essential for all youth, regardless of background. Yet too few young people have these support structures in their lives. To increase assets among all kids, the author provides a compelling vision for a healthy community and specific recommAndations for individual, family and community action.

All Kids Are Our Kids: What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescents

Social Sciences

The measure of a society's health is how well it takes care of the youngest generation. By this standard, we fail. But All Kids Are Our Kids offers an approach to unleash the extraordinary power of community when people unite around a widely shared vision of healthy child and adolescent development. All Kids Are Our Kids introduces forty Developmental Assets--building blocks of healthy development that are essential for all youth, regardless of their background. The challenge for all segments of the community--families, neighbors, schools, congregations, employers, youth organizations, and more--is to share in the responsibility for taking action to ensure that all kids have what they need to grow up healthy, successful, and caring. This new edition includes new evidence, cites successful cases, and makes recommendations for energizing individuals, families, and community action. Praise for All Kids Are Our Kids "A practical, concrete blueprint for helping young people succeed because of supportive communities." --Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council "For two decades, Peter Benson has been America's most eloquent and persuasive voice for a new, positive approach to enhancing the lives of our nation's youth. If policy makers, practitioners, and researchers read only one book about how to act in support of our nation's youth, then this is it!" --Richard M. Lerner, Bergstrom Chair in Applied Developmental Science and director, Institute forApplied Research in Youth Development, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development, Tufts University "Peter Benson continues to remind us of how far short of the mark we have fallen in meeting the needs of our youngest generation. But then he provides a gift: a unifying vision that we can all rally around: parents, neighbors, youth-serving organizations, and ultimately whole communities committed to the healthy development of all our kids." --Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America "Benson's approach is the best formula we have for building communities to meet the developmental needs of young people. Anyone who is concerned about the future of our society should read this book." --William Damon, professor of education, Stanford University, and director, Stanford Center on Adolescence

All Kids Are Our Kids: What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescents, 2nd Edition

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Psychology & Counseling

Jossey-Bass Inc Pub

The Quicksilver Years: The Hopes and Fears of Early Adolescence

Johnson, Arthur L.

Winston Pr

With over 220,000 copies in print, the original What Kids Need to Succeed is a proven best-seller. Communities across the nation have embraced its quick-read, common-sense suggestions for helping kids lead healthy, productive, positive lives and stay out of trouble. The first edition identified 30 Developmental AssetsTM essential to promoting success and preventing at-risk behaviors. This revised, expanded, updated edition, based on findings from a recent nationwide survey conducted by Search Institute, includes the latest information on asset-building and expands the original 30 assets to 40. It describes new assets including caring neighborhoods, community service, integrity, cultural competence, and peaceful conflict resolution, then gives specific suggestions for building all 40 assets at home, at school, in the neighborhood, and in the faith community. With over 700 ideas to try, What Kids Need to Succeed makes anyone an asset-builder and a positive force in young people's lives.

What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids

Espeland, Pamela

Galbraith, Judy

Free Spirit Pub.

Based on surveys of more than 370,000 youth in hundreds of communities across the United States Proven, practical ways to succeed in all areas of your life - starting today WHAT TEENS NEED TO SUCCEED.... You've got the power to shape your future, change your life for the better, and make a difference in the lives of people around you. This book tells you how. Open it anywhere to learn how you can start building assets. Not financial assets, but Developmental Assets - good things you need in your life and in yourself. Things like a loving, supportive family. A neighborhood where people care about each other. A school where everyone is safe and free to learn. Self-esteem. Creativity. Integrity. Conflict resolution skills. A sense of purpose. And that's just for starters. Why should you build assets? Because they form a strong foundation for your life. They have a positive influence on the choices you make and the actions you take. They protect you from risky behaviors. They make you a person other people look up to, count on, trust, and respect. In What Teens Need to Succeed, you'll find: more than 1,200 ideas for building assets at home, at school, in your community, in your faith community, and with your friends.... more than 120 true stories about teens and adults who are building assets for themselves and others.... more than 200 resources (books, organizations, and Web sites) to explore.... hundreds of fascinating facts.... fun lists of things to do and try.... eye-opening checklists and quizzes.... proof that building assets really works.

What Teens Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Shape Your Own Future: Easyread Large Edition

Children's Books

Growing Up & Facts of Life

ReadHowYouWant

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Books by Benson, Peter L.