Pipher's acclaimed, groundbreaking "New York Times" bestseller provides an eye-opening examination of adolescent girls in America who are prone to eating disorders, depression, and suicide attempts, and offers compassion and strategies to help revive these young women's lost sense of self.

Reviews

From her work as a psychotherapist for adolescent females, Pipher here posits and persuasively argues her thesis that today's teenaged girls are coming of age in ``a girl-poisoning culture.'' Backed by anecdotal evidence and research findings, she suggests that, despite the advances of feminism, young women continue to be victims of abuse, self-mutilation (e.g., anorexia), consumerism and media pressure to conform to others' ideals. With sympathy and focus she cites case histories to illustrate the struggles required of adolescent girls to maintain a sense of themselves among the mixed messages they receive from society, their schools and, often, their families. Pipher offers concrete suggestions for ways by which girls can build and maintain a strong sense of self, e.g., keeping a diary, observing their social context as an anthropologist might, distinguishing between thoughts and feelings. Pipher is an eloquent advocate. Psychotherapy Book Club selection; BOMC and QPB alternates. (Apr.)

Pipher, a clinical psychologist who has worked extensively with adolescent girls, convincingly argues that girls today are actually more oppressed than their mothers were because they must grow up in a ``more dangerous, sexualized and media-saturated culture.'' This atmosphere has destroyed the happiness of many teenage girls and has led to a frightening increase in self-destructive behavior. Pipher's descriptions of adolescents' lives--then and now--are particularly well done. Included are thoughtful recommendations for parents and a plea for changing the direction of our culture. All parents with daughters should read this eye-opening work. Highly recommended. BOMC, Quality Paperback Book Club, and Psychotherapy Book Club selections.-- January Adams, ODSI Research Lib., Raritan, N.J.