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 !

At adolescence, says Mary Pipher, "girls become 'female impersonators' who fit their whole selves into small, crowded spaces." Many lose spark, interest, and even IQ points as a "girl-poisoning" society forces a choice between being shunned for staying true to oneself and struggling to stay within a narrow definition of female. Pipher's alarming tales of a generation swamped by pain may be partly informed by her role as a therapist who sees troubled children and teens, but her sketch of a tougher, more menacing world for girls often hits the mark. She offers some prescriptions for changing society and helping girls resist.

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.

Why are more American 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 twenty years, we live in a look-obsessed, media-saturated, "girl-poisoning" culture. Despite the advances of feminism, escalating levels of sexism and violence--from undervalued intelligence to sexual harassment in elementary school--cause girls to stifle their creative spirit and natural impulses, which, ultimately, destroys their self-esteem. Yet girls often blame themselves or their families for this "problem with no name" instead of looking at the world around them.

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.

A study on girls are becoming damaged, both mentally and physically, during adolescent. If you have a daughter, it is worth reading; if you have a son, teach him how to treat a girl.

a must read for parents of adolestant girls

This is an interesting and informative book for anyone attempting to raise a preteen/teen daughter or granddaughter through one of the most difficult times in their lives. Made me want to curl up on the couch and hold my daughter in my arms...

I was surprised at how much I got out of this book. I assumed that since it was so old, that the information would be out-of-date. To the contrary, I found it quite relevant. I found it to be a very engaging read, I was looking forward to my time after putting my girls to bed to be able to keep reading it. It did seem that the author's views were slightly skewed by her exposure to the cases she works with professionally, but still I found it valuable. She uses lots of stories as examples, which made it interesting to read. And she puts a lot of information in that you can apply within your own family.

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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.

A must-read for anyone with a daughter.

great book if you are trying to help a young girl get safely into womanhood

Even though this book is written from a secular perspective, it has some interesting insights into adolescent girls. I should have read it long before I did.

great book written in an easy to read, case by case basis. Pipher draws information from many different adolescent experiences and offers sharp analysis. also a fun read because of the period in which it was written, takes you back to the days when wearing doc martins and listening to the cure were avenues for the expression of teen-aged angst.

insightful look at teens today

Why are more American 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 twenty years, we live in a look-obsessed, media-saturated, "girl-poisoning" culture. Despite the advances of feminism, escalating levels of sexism and violence-from undervalued intelligence to sexual harassment in elementary school-cause girls to stifle their creative spirit and natural impulses, which, ultimately, destroys their self-esteem. Yet girls often blame themselves or their families for this "problem with no name" instead of looking at the world around them.
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.

Great read to make a parent aware of what our girls are dealing with at school and in society, and how we can help them stay strong and healthy. Very helpful in caring for my own daughter.

very very helpful book!

A great read for the parent of a daughter. I wish I had read this 20 years ago when my daughter was born.

Read All Book Reviews of "Reviving Ophelia Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls"