Rating: 
Summary: GOOD ADVICE BUT IS IT REALLY ALL JAY'S OR DAD'S?
Review: This was an interesting book in that it used common sense advice to bridge the gap between parents and teens. As a professional counsellor for over thirty years, and one who has raised three daughters to adulthood, I have also helped bridge that gap endless times. From a teen prespective it is easily seen how Jay McGraw has acquired his expertise, after all at twenty-two, he is barely out of his teens himself. However, it is questionable at this age how he accumulated his wealth of expertise when it comes to raising teens from a parent's perspective. Could it be that what we are really hearing here is the voice of good old Dad, known to many of us as "Dr. Phil?" Phillip MaGraw is no stranger as an author and I see an uncanny resemblance between the writing style of both father and son. Co-incidence? Who knows, but the book does contain some sound advice even if much of it is based on a common sense approach. As for originality, the book does not contain a lot of material that we have not already read before - only the wording has been changed. For that reason, plus the fact it appears the expertise and thoughts here were not entirely Jay's, the book lost a few stars in the rating.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD ADVICE BUT IS IT REALLY ALL JAY'S OR DAD'S?
Review: This was an interesting book in that it used common sense advice to bridge the gap between parents and teens. As a professional counsellor for over thirty years, and one who has raised three daughters to adulthood, I have also helped bridge that gap endless times. From a teen prespective it is easily seen how Jay McGraw has acquired his expertise, after all at twenty-two, he is barely out of his teens himself. However, it is questionable at this age how he accumulated his wealth of expertise when it comes to raising teens from a parent's perspective. Could it be that what we are really hearing here is the voice of good old Dad, known to many of us as "Dr. Phil?" Phillip MaGraw is no stranger as an author and I see an uncanny resemblance between the writing style of both father and son. Co-incidence? Who knows, but the book does contain some sound advice even if much of it is based on a common sense approach. As for originality, the book does not contain a lot of material that we have not already read before - only the wording has been changed. For that reason, plus the fact it appears the expertise and thoughts here were not entirely Jay's, the book lost a few stars in the rating.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy of Consideration On Its Own Merit
Review: When reviewing this book as well as Life Strategies for Teens, I do so as a father and grandfather. It remains for teenagers (for whom the books were written) to suggest the relevance, indeed the value of one or both to them. Obviously, he has been influenced by the opinions of his father. (That is true of all sons.) Also obvious is the fact that McGraw agrees with his father that closing the gap between potential and fulfillment is highly beneficial for anyone, regardless of age or circumstance. He is primarily interested in the gap which often develops between a teenager and her or his parents. Indeed, teenagers (as do adults) also have all manner of relationships with non-family members; those with peers can sometimes have greater influence on their values and behavior than do any others. My own personal experience suggests that most of the major problems in parent-teenager relationships are caused by (a) breakdowns in communication between them which result in misunderstandings, distrust, and frustration and/or (b) diminished self-image which results in a deep and painful sense of inadequacy and, in some instances, a sense of complete failure. McGraw offers several excellent guidelines for closing various "gaps" while realizing, I assume, that a parent's relationship with a 13-year old son or daughter poses for each quite different challenges than does a parent's relationship with a 19-year old. These challenges are complicated by certain issues which are unique to mother-son, mother-daughter, father-son, and father-daughter. Hence the importance of effective communication to each of these four relationships during the years through which a daughter or son proceeds from 13 to 19. McGraw should not be expected to provide all of the "right answers." No longer a teenager but not yet a parent (insofar as I know), he should also not be expected to ask all the "right questions." The value of his book will probably vary, depending on how receptive a parent or teenager is to considering a 22-year old's opinions and recommendations. My own suggestion is that the content of this book should be carefully considered on its own merit, without regard to the identify or age of its author.
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