Adolescent and His World

Dr. Josselyn has written a brief but substantial account of adolescence based on psychoanalytic concepts; it is intended for social workers. It covers the essential elements of the adolescent process, the physical aspects of adolescence being discussed at some length; then in the chapter, Psychological Growth Patterns, the shift from preadolescence to adolescence is well described. Here, as in the rest of the book, one wishes that the terms 'ego strength' and 'ego weakness' were less facilely used. The succeeding chapters examine the social problems, followed by a clear description of the Oedipal problem in adolescence. The chapter on sexual education and sexual behavior is temperately and courageously written