Stanford Center on Adolescence

Center Overview

Who will vote or run for political office in tomorrow's societies? Who will sit on the juries, speak up at public meetings, and contribute to the charities? Who will join the workforces and raise the families? There is just one answer to all of these questions: the youngsters who are now growing up around us.

The Stanford Center on Adolescence aims to promote the character and competence of all young people growing up in today's world. The Center's work provides guidance for parenting, for improved educational practice, and for youth development in a wide variety of community settings. More »

Activities

Research

The Center's research agenda examines issues of adolescent learning, identity, and character formation in an array of settings found in modern society.

Pathways to Purpose in the Encore Years
Character Development in Adolescence
The Development of Civic Purpose among Diverse Populations of American Youth: 2011-2014
The Role of Humility, Truth, and Faith in Moral Formation: A Developmental Analysis of Exemplary 20th Century Lives: 2011-2013
Young Entrepreneurs Study: 2011-2014
Civic Identity and Participation Pilot Project: 2009-2010
Youth Purpose Project: Phases One and Two: 2002-2009
GoodWork: 1995-2005

In the Spotlight

•The Power of Ideals was recently discussed in a controversial essay in the New York Review of Books. We invite you to read the essay and Colby and Damon’s response.

• We are starting a new collaboration with 92 Street Y and Citizen University to launch a 21st Century version of Ben Franklin’s Mutual Improvement Clubs (the “Junto” that Ben created for early 18th Century Philadelphia). Read here about the new “Ben Franklin Circles” that we will be working on.

• Center graduate student, Katie Remington, is one of the "Student Voices" selected to represent the Stanford Graduate School of Education to current and prospective students.

• Here's an article in GSE News about our current study, "Pathways to Encore Purpose," which aims to help older Americans lead more purposeful lives.

• Read the New York Times opinion piece "Honesty Can Be Cultivated, Despite Cynicism" about The Power of Ideals: The Real Story of Moral Choice, by William Damon and Anne Colby, appearing 9/29/15.

• The Youth Civic Development and Education Conference Consensus Report is now available. For more information about the conference, click here .

• Character in Adolescence: A Conversation with Angela Duckworth and Bill Damon. A Conversation with Angela Duckworth, University of Pennsylvania, and Bill Damon, Center Director, was presented Thursday, February 27, 2014

• You can view the video and full transcript for the webinar: Educating for Youth Purpose Around the World, held 10/29/14. Click HERE for the flyer. Hosts included several Center on Adolescence alumni and affiliates.