'Teen Topics by Pegge Parker
The Greatest Generation Reflected in Vintage Advice Columns
by: Pegge Parker, Edited by John Hlavacek
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, APRIL 2009: Before Ann Landers there was Pegge Parker. She was the original advice columnist who began writing an advice column when she was a 21-year-old high school graduate for Pennsylvania's 'Harrisburg Telegraph' and "'Teen Topics" is a collection of her newspaper personal advice columns published from 1940 through 1942 dealing with subjects of particular interest to her teenage readers. What is remarkable is how although fashions in music, clothing, and other cultural elements have changed, the basic concerns, interests, relationship problems, ethical concerns and moral judgments have remained constant. It's remarkable how these more than 60 year old advice columns dealing with issues of grammar, dating, etiquette, grooming, travel, cooking, etc. still hold up and would be of enduring value to today's new generation of adolescents trying to transition into adulthood. "'Teen Topics" is as entertaining and informative today as it was when originally written and highly recommended for personal and community library collections.
Pegge Parker, so named because the spelling "Pegge" was different, and "Parker" because "everyone owns a Parker Pen." In 1940, she named her column ’Teen Topics and invited her teen readers to to send her their problems. In these selected columns, you’ll discover the quandaries that helped to shape the Greatest Generation—and realize not much has changed. As Pegge’s columns grew in popularity, she was invited to prestigious events at West Point Academy, New York’s elite gatherings, and even the Indian Embassy. She mingled with Generals and royalty, movie stars and music legends—all of which became daily entries in her column. Pegge skillfully and tactfully handled such dilemmas as grammar, dating, etiquette, grooming, travel tips, cooking and more. With no formal writing education, but a definite flair with the pen, Pegge Parker furthered her career as a reporter in Washington, D.C., and Fairbanks, Alaska, and then moved ahead as a foreign correspondent in China, India, and South and Central America. She is the author of Diapers on a Dateline, the journey of her first five years in India, juggling a demanding career, a new husband and five children in a foreign land. She also wrote Alias Pegge Parker, the story of an adventurous and fearless young woman who forged an exciting and successful career in the male-dominated field of foreign correspondence. Along with her husband, John Hlavacek, she coauthored Freelancing in Paradise covering their years living and working as freelance journalists in the Caribbean.
