THE EMERGING PERSONALITY: INFANCY THROUGH ADOLESCENCE.
By George E. Gardner '25, M.D., Ph.D.New York: Delacorte Press, A SeymourLawrence Book, 1970. 292 pp. $6.95.
The material presented is a summation of the studies by Dr. Gardner, of the Boston Children's Medical Center, and his staff about the emotional adjustment, development of personality, and intellectual maturation from infancy through adolescence.
In the interesting and unusual format, Dr. Gardner first discusses the subject in question and then follows with a recorded question-and-answer session between mothers and himself. Clear and simple, the writing should be easily understood by all attentive readers.
The problem of genetics is mentioned in relation to the development of personality, and the omission of a debate of environment versus heredity is logical because little can be done about heredity once conception has taken place.
Divided into four periods of growth, the book describes major developments of each and the continuity of progress from infancy to adulthood, with strong emphasis on the importance of infancy in relation to future development.
In the excellent discussion of the problem of fear in infancy and its effect on future personality, the control and direction of aggressive instincts into proper channels is well handled.
Especially pertinent, the chapter "Leap into Adulthood" furthers understanding of our teen-age generation. Though extremely necessary, the struggle of the young to become independent personalities is the cause of much misunderstanding and pain to parents and offspring.
By pointing out that because all children are different and that because only rarely does a child measure up completely to the set patterns of normal development, Dr. Gardner has added to our understandsing about the necessity of allowing a wide leeway in making judgments. Many children who could not be classified as normal become valuable citizens in adult life.
In conclusion, I wish to thank Dr. Gardner for his kindness to Mother who has taken such severe chastisement during recent years from psychologists, psychiatrists, and teachers that she often becomes a guilt, ridden wreck. Unquestionably there are bad mothers, but the majority give their best and do well. In spite of Mother's true devotion, many factors, known and unknown, may affect a child adversely.
Enjoying and profiting from this book. Mother may now cease lying awake nights wondering what she did wrong to cause her little Jimmy to kick her in the shins.
Chief of Surgery in the South Pacific, WorldWar II, promoted to Rear Admiral 1956, thefirst USNR doctor to be so elevated in theFirst Naval District, Dr. Tenney beforeretirement was Professor of Obstetrics andGynecology at the Boston University Schoolof Medicine and Director of Obstetrical andGynecology Services, Boston City Hospital,where in a ten-year period he was responsible for the delivery of 37,000 babies.
