Protecting our children.

American society will face major economic and social difficulties in the years to come if we do not address the serious threat to our prosperity posed by the growing numbers of young people who lack the education to function in a highly technical world. The author identifies some of the circumstances and behaviors that place children at risk of academic failure, including poverty, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, unstable families, and suicide. Failure of the education, health, and social service systems set up to deal with these risk factors is also identified as part of the problem. The author offers four proposals for restructuring failing systems to provide our youth with the support they need to mature, learn, and develop.