The Teen Interpreter: A Guide to the Challenges and Joys of Raising Adolescents

Rapid neurological changes combine with changing needs and identities, so it’s no surprise adults might need a roadmap to navigate communication with teenagers. Psychologist Apter (Passing Judgment: Praise and Blame in Everyday Life) provides a lens for examining teenage minds and the often intense and confusing emotions they experience. Apter blames her own profession—psychologists have long claimed that adolescence is a time of separation and rebellion—as the source of some societal misinterpretations of teen behavior and the relationship problems that occur as a result. This viewpoint has led to a model of adolescent rebellion and rejection rather than making adults empathetic to teenagers, which further chills their relationships, Apter writes. The book addresses autism, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the varying needs of adolescents due to racial and economic disparities.