ABSTRACT

In answering these questions, Janet Sayers highlights the revolution wrought in both sexes' psychology by adolescence, particularly by its fantasies of divided selves and loves and of 'boy crazy' grandiosity and romance.
Illustrated throughout with fascinating examples from a groundbreaking study of adolescent memories and dreams, Boy Crazy presents an engaging account of this little-researched period of human development. Sayers also draws on her own work as a therapist, and weaves in vignettes from fiction and film, to demonstrate the significance we attach in adulthood to our experiences as adolescents. She suggests that men and women respond differently to the sexual awakening that takes place during their teens, and to their own memories of that part of their life. In relating the findings of her research the author also explores to what extent the theories of Freud, Jung and feminism shape our understanding of the formative effect of adolescent experiences and emotions.
Boy Crazy provides a fascinating insight into the repercussions of adolescence on our adult lives and loves and will appeal to the general and specialist reader alike.

part I|13 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|11 pages

Remembering adolescence

part II|46 pages

Divided selves

chapter 2|12 pages

Detached sons

chapter 3|21 pages

Divided adolescents

chapter 4|11 pages

Schizoid and suicidal splitting

part III|44 pages

Divided loves

chapter 5|15 pages

Attached daughters

chapter 6|14 pages

Divided friends

part IV|48 pages

Grandiosity and romance

chapter 8|15 pages

Gods and heroes

chapter |17 pages

Saviours

chapter |14 pages

Fallen idols

part V|5 pages

Conclusion

chapter 11|3 pages

Beyond memories and dreams