Nightviews Lecture Series presents
14th Annual
Francine C. Rosenberg Memorial Lecture
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Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D.
Psychologist, Consultant and Author Specializing in Children and Families |
Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Friendship Development,
Popularity and Social Cruelty in Childhood |
Monday, May 7, 2012
7:30 p.m. | Diane and David B Heller Auditorium
This event is free and open to the public.
Click here to register online.
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Children don’t want adults to be involved in their social lives. They hate it when teachers “interfere.” Yet teachers are witnesses to the exclusion of low-status children in elementary schools and the popularity wars of middle school and they must act to protect the weak. Parents also see the friendship difficulties of their own children. Some take their children's social ambitions to heart and worry that their children are not popular. Other parents hope the school can protect their children from all social pain.
In this lecture, Dr. Thompson will examine the complex social world of childhood. Drawing on research to highlight the differences between friendship and popularity, he will offer suggestions about the management of social problems in schools and make the case that, while all children yearn for popularity, it is friendship that helps children survive and thrive.
Michael G. Thompson is a psychologist, school consultant and author or co-author of eight books, including the New York Times bestseller, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys, Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions about Raising Sons and Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children. His newest book, Homesick and Happy, was released in May 2012.
A dedicated speaker and traveler, Dr. Thompson has spoken at or consulted to more than 500 schools in the U.S. and abroad. He has appeared on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC′s 20/20 and CBS′s 60 Minutes. He was the co-author, host and narrator of a two-hour PBS documentary entitled Raising Cain: Focus on Boys which aired in January 2006.
The Francine C. Rosenberg Memorial Lecture Series was created to honor the memory of one of Parker’s most dedicated and effective volunteers, Francine C. Rosenberg. In Francine’s memory, the Lecture Series is dedicated to exposing Parker and the extended community to innovative views, philosophies and teachings relevant to the education of our children and how we live our lives. Previous recipients include Robert Evans, Ed.D., Michael J. Gelb, John Gottman, Ph.D., Edward Hallowell, M.D., Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Wendy Mogel, Ph.D., Sir Ken Robinson, Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D., Ruth J. Simmons, James P. Steyer, Beverly Daniel Tatum, Maria Trozzi and Judith Viorst.
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