Parrott is a Christian clinical psychologist. His book is a practical guide for parents and lay counselors to help adolescents with 30 common problems. He treats the problems as manifestations of the adolescent’s search for identity. He examines paths by which adolescents look for identity: family relations; status symbols; ‘grown-up’ behaviour; rebellion; other opinions; idols; and cliquish exclusion. Five common experiences that create or exacerbate significant struggles are discussed: physical, sexual, social, religious and moral changes.
The section on religious changes emphasizes the adolescent’s genuine interest in religion. Questioning religious concepts and beliefs is not so much a matter of doubt but rather an honest investigation. Adolescents need to make their faith their own rather than that of their parents. They question because they want to accept religion in a way that is meaningful to them.
The section about moral changes looks at the adolescent’s struggle to move from childhood rules to own moral principles as a condition of becoming an adult. Their moral thinking changes from concrete to abstract; from emotional to cognitive; from egoistic to altruistic, from concern with what is wrong to concern with what is right; from personal desires to respect for others.
Parrott’s approach to the activities of the mind and the heart is first of all psychological. He admits that he follows a pragmatic, not a dogmatic, approach. On some of the issues he brings forth specific Biblical principles but most of the time he relies on solutions that have proven to be most therapeutic and that are consistent with Christian understanding.