The Mental and Emotional Life of Teenagers. - book review

Adolescence, Winter, 2001

MITCHELL, John J

The Mental and Emotional Life of Teenagers. Calgary: Detselig Enterprises, 2001 (distributed by Temeron Books). l79pp. (p).

This book investigates the role of intelligence and emotion in the everyday life of teenagers. Mitchell argues that the behavior of teens is shaped by both "higher" and "lower" expressions of their natural intelligence; further, in the absence of competent guidance from caring adults, the lower expressions frequently prevail, producing a downward turn in rationality and a reduced capacity for problem solving. The emotional life of teens is confused by their alternating cravings for togetherness and selfishness. Mitchell advances the case that during the teen years all relationships are laced with an egocentric selfishness which impedes the adolescent's capacity for genuine intimacy and mature love. The emotional life of teens is made even more turbulent by the fact that their behavior is sometimes guided by the "higher" and sometimes by the "lower" expressions of their intelligence.