Medford/Somerville, Mass. -- Tufts’ Richard Lerner, one of the country’s top scholars in child psychology and research, will be honored as the new Bergstrom Family chair in applied developmental science on April 11. Lerner’s research on youth behavior has made him an avid proponent of a national youth policy. He cites statistics that note half of all American teens are engaged in “killing behaviors” that will significantly boost crime and diminish U.S. economic competitiveness in the next decade.

   According to Lerner, “There are nearly 20 million youths between 10 and 19 today who are engaged in unprotected sex, violence, alcohol, cigarette smoking, drug abuse and school delinquency. Imagine this country in 10 years if we don’t put a national policy in place that will treat our young people as resources to be developed – not problems to be managed!”

   Lerner noted the U.S. is the only industrialized country without a youth policy, and pointed to alarming statistics that are exacerbated by poverty, a growing population and economic changes: Every minute an American adolescent has a baby, More than 12.5 million public school students may become school dropouts, 20 percent of American children and adolescents live in poverty; and, Arrests of youth between 10 and 17 years old for such crimes as rape, robbery, homicide or assault have increased 66 percent since 1985.

   Lerner believes that community-based programs involving trained individuals, whether they be teachers, youth workers, or mentors, can result in teenagers actually staying in school, staying healthy, and overcoming adversity. Among myriad examples, Lerner noted a program he witnessed last summer in Oaxaca, Mexico. There, scores of street children facing drugs and prostitution were taken to rural areas where they were educated, nurtured and given new leases on life. Today these children are in school, drug-free and making excellent progress toward a healthy adult life.

   Lerner will host a panel discussion of child development experts on Wed., April 12 at Tufts University to address problems and propose solutions facing today’s troubled teens. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) will deliver the keynote address. Also attending will be Rick Little, president and CEO of the International Youth Foundation and Don Floyd, COO of the National 4-H Council.