Taking sides. Clashing views in lifespan development / selected, edited, and with introductions by Andrew M. Guest

Includes bibliographical references and index

PART 1. General issues in the study of life span development -- Does culture and environment influence human development more than our genes? -- Are peers more important than parents during the process of development? -- Do significant innate differences influence the success of males and females? -- PART 2. Prenatal development -- Does prenatal exposure to drugs such as cocaine create "Crack Babies" with special developmental concerns? -- Is a natural childbirth, without pain medication, best for development? -- PART 3. Infancy -- Is there a "Myth of the Three Years"? -- Are infants born with an innate ability to make symbolic mental representations of objects? -- PART 4. Early childhood -- Does exposure to music, including Mozart, during early childhood have a special capacity to enhance development? -- Does emphasizing academic skills help at-risk preschool children? -- PART 5. Middle childhood -- Has promoting self-esteem failed to improve the education of school-age children? -- Is attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) a legitimate medical condition that affects childhood behavior? -- PART 6. Adolescence -- Are boys more at-risk than girls as they develop through adolescence? -- Does violent media cause teenage aggresion? -- PART 7. Youth and early adulthood -- Should we use medication to deal with the angst of college and young adulthood? -- Are college graduates unprepared for adulthood and the world of work? -- PART 8. Middle adulthood -- Are contemporary adults overlooking the importance of marriage as part of successful development? -- Is one general intelligence factor responsible fro career success? -- Is religion a pure good in facilitating well-being during adulthood? PART 9. Later adulthood -- Can we universally define "Successful Aging"? -- Is anti-aging technology a cause for societal concern?