Some Girls Do

by Margaret Leroy

Women's lack of sexual assertiveness, particularly early in relationships, is one of the few areas to remain relatively untouched by feminist ideology. This work reveals the effects this passivity in courtship and relationships has on women's sense of themselves, their self-image, concern with their appearance, and their disgruntlement with men. Looking at female fantasy, date rape, masochism, male responses, the media, and drawing on literature, interviews and research, the book exposes the women's magazine industry, and finally suggests ways in which women can take control of their courtship rituals to become more assertive in all areas of their lives.

Genres: Feminism

Paperback

First published July 6, 1998

About the author

I grew up in the New Forest. As a child I wrote elaborate fantasy stories that I never showed to anyone. But around age 12 I stopped writing, and didn't start again till my mid-twenties.

(from the Biography page of her website)

I went to Oxford to study music, at St. Hilda's College. In my twenties I tried all sorts of things - music therapy, play-leading with children with disabilities, work in a toy shop, teaching. I also got married - and divorced. Finally I found work I really enjoyed, as a social worker: I qualified at Leicester University, and worked in psychiatry and then in child protection. It's a reviled profession but I found it fascinating: though, intriguingly, in my writing social workers are more likely to be villains than heroes. Around this time I met Mick, who is now my husband - and I started writing again. I became a full-time(ish) writer after our younger daughter was born.