The Fight of Your Life: Why
Your Teen is at Risk & What Only You Can Do About It
Jeffrey Dean
Reviewed by Teresa Konopka
Jeffrey Dean’s “The Fight of Your
Life: Why Your Teen is at Risk & What Only You Can Do About It” is
a book full of perspective. Both parents and the childless
spelunk
into the vast psyche of the infamous teen. The chapters are
fastidiously organized so everything crucial is to the point.
Chapters
even have similar structure with bullet points, numbered ideas, and a
short prayer at the end.
The book is divided into three main
parts. The first is more of a preface to the reader about what
the
book will preach. It makes it very clear that parents are facing
the
devil. Dean states that teenagers’ souls are being reeled in by
evil
spirits and that parents need to turn to [and turn their children to]
God. The author states how Jesus created teens and meant for them
to
live full, fruitful lives--that is, assuming that parents help their
teen(s) fight off satan.
The second part of the book is more
of the roller coaster part; it’s exciting yet may make some
uncomfortable. The topics in this section are drugs, sex,
improper
influences, internet misusage, eating disorders, cutting, and other
sinful acts. While these taboo topics are discussed, Dean does
not go
into graphic details. He merely mentions each with informative
descriptions on why they are corrupting America’s youth. For
instance,
when he tackles the issue of widespread pornography, he does not
physically describe what that looks like. Instead, he expounds on
how
this can both mentally and emotionally destroy teens from the inside
out.
The last part of the book talks about bringing teens closer
to God and having them spread the Word. Dean’s intent is for
teens to
come closer to God and thus not want to do wrong behaviors that
dishonor the Lord. Furthermore, the book does not ask solely for
discipline and patient on the parent’s part: it asks for prayer.
As
the book closes, there are discussion starters and tips for how to get
teens anxious to spread the healing message of Jesus onto their
friends. No specific sect of Christianity is promoted over others
in
this book, but the last few chapters suggest evangelical actions.
Dean’s
book is one of strategy. Five basic stances for war are outlined
that
are reiterated throughout the book. Implemented into each
chapter,
Dean illustrates how repetition is key not only in parenting but in
self help books as well. Regardless of what one may perceive by
the
militaristic metaphor, Dean suggests cooperative religious action, not
violence. Several peaceful yet formidable Bible quotations are
sprinkled in the book to do so.