In presenting several key concepts that are the foundation for understanding family dynamics, the book's first two chapters discuss the 'readiness to be socialized' and the issue of teaching compliance, followed by a review of some guidelines for using requests that work. The next four chapters provide practical information designed to help parents make significant changes in the way they relate to their adolescents. One chapter addresses monitoring and tracking, which involves observing and assessing an adolescent's behavior. Another chapter discusses how to teach children through positive means, such as using attention and praise. A chapter on point charts deals with the structure for creating a contingent home environment for chores and behavior. A chapter on discipline describes techniques proven effective. The concluding chapter discusses how well-intentioned parents can, through slow and gradual changes, produce dramatically negative impacts on their adolescent children. Most of the chapters contain 'teaching dramas' that describe families 'doing it right' and 'doing it wrong.' Glossary, appended supplementary material.