Questions about God are not new. Good answers are. Parents often can't even discuss hair styles with teenagers. A good conversation about religion, morality, politics, or sex is almost impossible. My book provides objective information about ethics, family and cultural issues, sexual and gender issues, politics and history, educational and health topics. It offers a structure which will get readers talking-even teenagers and their parents. It also includes thought questions and optional exercises to further stimulate communication and growth. The book's discussion topics were submitted by over two hundred kids aged 14 to 18. Some were very affluent; others were inner-city poor. Most were middle class; and 17 were patients in a drug treatment center. Interestingly enough, similar challenges and concerns existed them all-- regardless of school district, age, race, gender, or socio-economic level. Perhaps that is not too surprising.
About the Author: Dr. Stephen F. Huss is the CEO of a Community Mental Health Center just south of St. Louis, Missouri. His Ph.D. from St. Louis University is in American Studies with a focus on American cultural development. His M.A. in history (social and intellectual history) is from the University of Southeast Missouri. His BSE (emphasis on Social Studies) is from the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Huss taught in the Hillsboro High School for seven years before founding the Comtrea Community Mental Health Center in 1974. He has also taught at Jefferson Community College for over twenty years. The College courses most often taught include American History, World Religions, and Political Science. Dr Huss has been an alcoholism and drug abuse counselor in the state of Missouri since 1974 and holds life teaching certificates in Arkansas and in Missouri. He is a certified Seven Habits of Highly Effective People(r) and Principle Centered Leadership(r) trainer. He has given over 200 workshops on the following topics among others: teaching children of divorce, prevention of chemical abuse, sexual harassment and the workplace, preventing school violence, identification of chemical abusers, family structure, assertiveness training, Principle Centered Leadership(r), Seven Habits of Highly Effective People(r), parent education, values in the classroom, stress management, time management, leadership for teenagers, effective communications and motivation in the classroom. Dr. Huss has successfully raised five children: two biological children and three step-children. He has has published numerous articles on child development and family issues; the widely distributed pamphlet One Hundreds Ways to Save Our Children; one book; and been the technical advisor and co-author of a nationally broadcast historical video. The book, Irish Mountain Man, is carried in Western American museums and in the Ulster American Folk Park in Northern Ireland. The video, Mountain Man to Millionaire, is still shown irregularly on The History Channel and PBS. Dr. Huss has received many honors for his teaching, leadership in the mental health field and for his community activites.