What teens are really doing

What parents think their teens are doing and what their teens are actually doing are often two different things. Parents can learn a lot about these common misperceptions in Stephen Wallace's book Reality Gap: Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex--What Parents Don't Know and Teens Aren't Telling.

Wallace, CEO of Students Against Destructive Decisions, documents what's been learned about teen behavior through the indepth "Teens Today" study conducted from 2000 - 2006. This study reports data like:

• average age for alcohol initiation is 13


• by 12th grade, more than 75% of teens are drinking


• 35% of teens report using drugs


• 52% of high school students report having had sexual intercourse

The book provides wonderful advice for parents in handling and discussing these critical topics with their teens.