Although these two articles were published in the 1990s, there are still some relevant facts related to African American males and youths at risks in today’s world.

I have had experiences doing groups with adolescents of different ages before, but it appears as if dealing with “youth at risk” demands special, unique talents and skills. Patience, persistence, perseverance, endurance, abundant love and confrontation, when backed with unconditional love and understanding, works wonders.

Adolescence have been defined as a period o variable onset and duration that marks the end of a childhood and lays the foundation for maturity. developments occurs at three interrelated levels – biological,psychological and social. Biologically, onset is signaled by the final acceleration of skeletal growth and the beginning of sexual development. Psychologically, onset is characterized by an acceleration of cognitive growth and personality formulation. Socially it is a period of intensified preparation for the forthcoming role of young adulthood. Girls enter puberty earlier than boys.