Archive for the ‘developmental psychology’ Tag
I wish I had in my head all the data and potential interpretations that Jean Twenge has. If I were still teaching the psychology of women, or developmental psychology, or personality and social psychology, I’d be eager to spend the money to keep this on my bookshelf. As it is, I’ve been working with a borrowed copy which means I’ve been doing something I haven’t felt the need to do since I retired from professoring – taking notes!
What a journey through the history of America’s social changes, some of which were surprising and interesting news to me. Just for example, a quote I noted from page 500. “In 2017, Harvard held a separate graduation ceremony for black graduate students” and “apparently the Harvard event is not an outlier. According to one survey, 72% of universities offered racially segregated graduation ceremonies by 2019, often prompted by students who requested a place they could celebrate with their own racial group. In addition, 46% of universities offered de facto segregated housing.” Wow! What I would give for a class discussion on the implications of that factoid. Or how about the “slow life strategy” (p.513) which has grown with each generation, delaying traditional milestones at every stage of the life cycle.” What a great topic for discussion by a bunch of grandparents and great grandparents who’ve been watching it with shaking heads.
Or how about this (p.456): “Barring economic disaster, American Polars (2013-2029) may grow up the most economically advantaged generation of children in several decades.”
And so much more! I won’t burden you with all my notes. I do hope this whets your appetite to beg, borrow, or buy a copy. (No doubt the publisher and author would prefer the latter option.)
I just finished writing a review for Ijeoma Oluo’s “So You Want to Talk About Race.” Here it is.
Having read a plethora of books as a member of our “BLM Ally” group I didn’t expect another one could add much. But I was wrong. It was probably the chapters organization that made the difference, but I left it with my heart hurting and my mind brimming. And there were the specific lists – almost “to-do” — that helped as we search for actions we can take while we are confined by COVID-19 restrictions. No matter what reading you have already worked through you’ll find help presented here in an attractive writing style.
So what does that have to do with dinosaurs? Me — and my career.
In the process of writing — and editing a zillion times — My Father’s House, I have come to appreciate that I did lead a privileged life. I confess, I didn’t know it. I was too busy living it. I do remember being upset in High School when I read about Senator Bilbo, though, described in Wikipedia as “a filibusterer whose name was synonymous with white supremacy.” I wish I had saved the essay I wrote.
But that doesn’t make me a dinosaur. It’s my career that did that. I spent years teaching developmental and personality psychology. Now I’d have to rewrite the syllabus, realizing that it was all about white, probably Northern European folks. And the psychology of women? Not only did it not even include women of the top 1%, it also wasn’t about women of any color other than pale white.
Okay, that’s all you get. I’ll save the rest for later. But I hope you get the gist.
No, I don’t feel guilty. Just more aware and motivated.
This little 100 page book was Intended as a memorial to a good man who died too young two months after his diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. But this collection of his Facebook entries during that period has become so much more as his struggles and the person he created reach out from the pages along with testimonies and revelations from family and friends about his own gender trials and acceptance.
Today I’m addressing folks like those who teach courses in death and dying, gender issues, personality, social, and developmental psychology, social work, or who work with the terminally ill in settings such as chaplains, Hospice, nursing homes, or hospitals.
The title, IT SUCKS, comes from the last words on Nick’s Facebook page.
At this point I would appreciate reviews, especially those I might quote on the back of the book or in its initial presentation. Given the COVID-19 restraints there will probably not be the book launch I had hoped for at one of his favorite places in Shakopee, Minnesota: Wampach’s restaurant, Turtles Bar and Grill, Pullman’s Club or Babe’s. I’ll just have to find more creative ways, beginning with responses from you or folks to whom you forward this request.
If you are interested in receiving a galley copy for review, please e-mail me a request along with a quick note about your occupation and how you might use the book. Please put “request a galley copy” in the subject line to forgivenessoptions@earthlink.net
And, of course, you are welcome to make a comment right here.
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