The Vulnerable Child: What Really Hurts America's Children And What We Can Do About It

"The Vulnerable Child" takes us beyond the stereotypes to reveal the true nature of childhood disadvantages. Through interviews with hundreds of children and professionals across the country, Weissbourd concludes that some of the most serious threats to children - parental depression, a lack of meaningful opportunities, and social isolation - cut across class and race lines. While Weissbourd details the plight of many poor and African-American children, he also affirms their resiliency, describing the factors that enable children to bounce back from hardship and deprivation. Moreover, he provides concrete steps that parents, government officials, schools, health care institutions, police forces, and social workers need to take to make sure our children succeed.