The Path to Purpose

Ten years ago, William Damon's book, Greater Expectations, shocked and influenced our educational community by challenging the then-prevailing tendency to overindulge our children. Now, he returns to the youth development debate with 'The Path To Purpose: Helping Our Children Find Their Calling in Life'. Damon makes the much-needed case for the primary importance of purpose in raising and educating today's youth by compelling us to look at how kids are developing today and why so many of them end up stalled in their emotional and intellectual maturation.

Drawing on the results from a four-year study, the book investigates why so many young people are 'failing to launch'-living at home longer, lacking career motivation, and struggling to make a timely transition into adulthood. Some have high aspirations but no realistic plans for fulfilling them, and others have been active in a number of pursuits but have found no reason to commit to any of them. Many of these 'adultolescents' have been primed for success, achieving straight As, high SAT scores, and Ivy League educations, but when it comes time for them to enter the real world, many flounder and are apathetic, disengaged, or cynical.

Damon demonstrates that if we guide our children down the 'path to purpose' according to these precepts, we can help them find their own meaningful, engaging life pursuits and enable them to make their successful transitions to adulthood. (Adapted from the publisher)

On today's 'Calling For Truth' Radio Program we will speak with Dr. Damon about 'The Path To Purpose - Helping Our Children Find Their Calling In Life'