Search - Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls

From back of the book....
Why are more American adolescent girls prey to depression, eating disorders, addictions, and suicide attempts than ever before? According to Dr. Mary Pipher we live in a look-obsessed, media-saturated, "girl-poisoning" culture.
Here, for the first time, are girls' unmuted voices from the front lines of adolescence, personal and painfully honest. By laying bare their harsh day-to-day reality, Reviving Ophelia issues a call to arms and offers parents compassion, strength, and strategies with which to revive these Ophelias' lost sense of self.

Review from Amazon.com (received 4 stars/299 reviews);
Reviving Ophelia is an excellent introduction to the victims that our children (all of our children, not just girls) have become to the consumer culture. Ms. Pipher shares case studies of young female therapy clients, whose problems range from suicide attempts, to eating disorders, abuse homes/boyfriends, pregnancy and STDs, even self-mutilation. She discusses how different parenting styles (both in terms of home situation ie.single parent, blended home, married parents and level of 'strictness') SEEM to help/hinder girls' development without making broad generalizations. Also included is a very important discussion of how the mass culture affects these girls (waif models, older men and younger women pairings in movies, etc.). Truly, it is a very eye-opening book for many people. There are many issues raised that all parents need to understand. I highly recommend that all parents of children read this book

A MUST for parents of pre-teen & early teen girls !! This one helped me let her "live", when she was most stubborn to live with ! Highly reccomend if your young lady is a total enigma !

An excellent book for mothers of daughters. In an age where more American adolescent girls fall prey to depression, eating disorders, addiction and suicide attempts, this book is an eye-opening look at the everyday dangers of being young and female and how adults can help.

'All 500 boys want to go out with the same 10 anorexic girls at my school'
'If I'm having a bad day, teachers and kids tell me to smile. I've never heard them say that to a guy.'
'My best friend has a family and I don't.'

Why are more adolescent girls prey to depression, eating disorders,addictions, and suicide attempts than ever before? According to Dr. Mary Pipher, a clinical psychologist who has treated girls for more than 20 years, we live in a look-obsessed, media-saturated, 'girl-poisoning' culture.
Here for the first time, are girls' unmuted voices from the front lines of adolescence, personal and painfully honest. By laying bare their harsh day-to-day reality, 'Reviving Ophelia' issues a call to arms, and offers parents compassion, strength, and strategies with which to revive these Ophelias' lost sense of self.

I started this book when my daughter was born and put it down. Dealing with a newborn had too many different issues. However, she is 12 and it was so relevant and timely. It changed my thinking completely about how I need to interact with her. I am amazed at the relevancy of the issues Pipher brings up and how the stories she communicates resonate personally to me. I cannot repost it yet, as it is being read by my husband...Highly recommended to any parent of an adolescent daughter. I think that an ideal age to begin reading this is when they are 9.

This book changed my life, maybe even saved my life. I suggest it for women of all ages. Truly the most important book I have ever read.