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What's Happening to Our Girls?
This work takes a comprehensive look at the world of young girls and the pressures they face, from self-esteem issues to the influence of the internet and the barrage of marketing that targets them.
- GenresNonfictionParenting
292 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 12, 2012
Interesting book, but a little too negative and sensational for me. I was alarmed when I read it (before my daughter started high school). My anxiety has decreased markedly over the past two years as I have seen my daughter and her friends devote themselves to study, sport, music and community service; and most importantly, develop the social intelligence needed to avoid many of the mind-sets and situations that Maggie describes in her book. An eye opening read, but too alarmist for my liking.
November 7, 2013
I didn't like this book, but two of my friends really did (and we are very similar in our parenting styles and our enjoyment of this sort of non-fiction).
My problem with this book was that it constantly used direct quotes from girls as evidence. The quotes were presented as examples that represented the cohort, however I just never really believed it. Many times the quotes, while showing the young person's view, did not really reflect what was really happening. I don't mean to devalue the opinion of the young person, I only mean to suggest that being in the middle of a problem does not necessarily make you the expert on it.
Too often the book cut to a quote in order to prove a point. It didn't work for me. I would have preferred if the an explanation of the quote was given... ie We asked 25 girls the same question and 19 gave us similar answers.
Surely it is naive to believe that every girl had the exact same response... so why do I feel the quotes were selected that suited the needs of the book, rather then representing the cohort.
My problem with this book was that it constantly used direct quotes from girls as evidence. The quotes were presented as examples that represented the cohort, however I just never really believed it. Many times the quotes, while showing the young person's view, did not really reflect what was really happening. I don't mean to devalue the opinion of the young person, I only mean to suggest that being in the middle of a problem does not necessarily make you the expert on it.
Too often the book cut to a quote in order to prove a point. It didn't work for me. I would have preferred if the an explanation of the quote was given... ie We asked 25 girls the same question and 19 gave us similar answers.
Surely it is naive to believe that every girl had the exact same response... so why do I feel the quotes were selected that suited the needs of the book, rather then representing the cohort.
July 30, 2011
Well it made me start thinking about this stuff. However it really felt like it took the worst end of the spectrum and made it sound normal. Also with all of the scare tactics there was no ways to actually help, no suggestions for how to deal with it. It made me want to read Nigel Latta's book!
January 13, 2012
Good book, but rather repetative in it's message. I confess I did not finish this book, as time got away from me, as well as the fact that the repetative nature did my head in after a way.
I am not denying that the message the book is giving, is a valid one, perhaps this is why the message gets repeated so oftern.
I am not denying that the message the book is giving, is a valid one, perhaps this is why the message gets repeated so oftern.
August 13, 2008
I have no daughters, and do not pretend to represent mainstream views, but this is interesting, and especially, in my case, because of my employment in China.
Anglo-US communities have had many years to ponder the roles of modern women, and have at times been pretty fierce about our expectations for them.
However, as this book makes a reasonable job of demonstrating, naive parenting, our public life, predatory marketing, and especially the mismanaged nature of the internet makes life confusing and sometimes disastrous for girls and young women.
There would be some parallel data there too if we looked at the current life experience of boys.
Then take a look at this (if we could) through the eyes of girls who are growing up in cultures that have a somewhat different history (do they?) of the treatment, value, and roles of women, and who are also washed about by marketing and new 'friends' on the internet. Do the observations in the book still apply? Important.
Anglo-US communities have had many years to ponder the roles of modern women, and have at times been pretty fierce about our expectations for them.
However, as this book makes a reasonable job of demonstrating, naive parenting, our public life, predatory marketing, and especially the mismanaged nature of the internet makes life confusing and sometimes disastrous for girls and young women.
There would be some parallel data there too if we looked at the current life experience of boys.
Then take a look at this (if we could) through the eyes of girls who are growing up in cultures that have a somewhat different history (do they?) of the treatment, value, and roles of women, and who are also washed about by marketing and new 'friends' on the internet. Do the observations in the book still apply? Important.
February 21, 2013
Backed by qualitative research and expert opinions, this is an essential read for parents of girls 0-21 years.
Often it is mind exploding as the author deals with topics of tweens and teenagers overstimulated by media, unduly influenced by peer pressure and unleashed by loose parental boundaries.
The advice for averting the social evils affecting our girls is instilling a sense of worth and high self esteem.
Read it and don't delude yourself that you know what your girls are up to.
Often it is mind exploding as the author deals with topics of tweens and teenagers overstimulated by media, unduly influenced by peer pressure and unleashed by loose parental boundaries.
The advice for averting the social evils affecting our girls is instilling a sense of worth and high self esteem.
Read it and don't delude yourself that you know what your girls are up to.
September 23, 2015
It's not a parenting book but more of a guided book on how marketing can affect our children. If you are unaware of how marketing affects your children's life I would like to recommend it to you, But if you are after a parenting book of what is happening in the life of your girls look else where.
The message of this book is repeated a lot and is a light read without many outside resources linked in. But overall a worth addition to your book shelf.
The message of this book is repeated a lot and is a light read without many outside resources linked in. But overall a worth addition to your book shelf.
January 27, 2011
Liked the book. Agreed with lots of what was said. Very frightening to have my 11 year old basically having teen experiences. I'm glad she has a solid grounding and that we have a good relationship. I did read a few things I hadn't considered and look at certain aspects of our relationship a little differently as a result of reading the book. Way of the world I guess - new challenges await.
June 19, 2011
Good stuff in it - things that parents of girls should know. As a former high school teacher though, I didn't have the "Ah-ha!" and "Oh my god!?" moments I think you're meant to have when you read this.
I didn't find anything new or ground-breaking here. Worth a read though!
I didn't find anything new or ground-breaking here. Worth a read though!
June 30, 2012
If you're a parent you need to read this book! Whether you have a boy or a girl, a baby or a teenager. This book discusses vital issues threatening childhood. Whilst it is a little dated in that it references myspace, the concerns it raises are very current and valid
September 11, 2014
Spends much more time identifying the problems than providing advice. Helpful in so far as it's good to have a discussion of the issues but I would have liked more suggestions on how we as parents can address things.
September 23, 2009
This is a must read for any parent with a daughter.
June 19, 2018
This gives the impression that most teenage girls are like this. Thankfully I've found that most of them are not.
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November 6, 2013How can I find the book ?!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews