The Making of the Self: Temperament, Environment, Education, and the History of Abuse in Tara Westover’s “Educated”
- Author:
Seung Min BAE
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:BOOK REVIEW
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2025;36(2):83-85
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: What shapes human development? The long-standing academic debate of nature versus nurture, dating back to ancient Greece. It has evolved through extensive research to emphasize the complex and dynamic interplay between genetic and environmental factors, rather than favoring one over the other. However, in clinical practice, this balanced perspective is often challenged by extreme cases. Tara Westover’s 2018 memoir, Educated, presents a powerful autobiographical narrative of identity formation through education and self-enlightenment. This book explores the journey of a gifted child raised in an extreme environment as she seeks to understand herself and her family, ultimately redefining the meaning of education. Through this lens, Educated extends beyond an individual account of adversity and resilience, offering broader insights into universal experiences of trauma, growth, and self-discovery.
