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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Overall I think this was a good read, especially for parents with young teens. Although I found some of the presentation to be pretty biased (Orenstein is self-proclaimed very progressive, but also a protective mother of a teen girl), I think she provided a good jumping off point for discussion of the issues young girls will face concerning sex.
The situation can seem pretty bleak (between pressure to not offend, the double bind of being a good slut, and sexual assault) and Orenstein doesn’t exactly provide a clear path forward. One of the key messages that emerged for me is the deeply personal nature of sexual choices. There isn’t a clear right and wrong (and whenever Orenstein implies that there might be, it doesn’t land well - whether it’s her assumptions about Miley Cyrus’s sexual displays or her critique of a purity commitment). As such, we really need to provide young people with all the resources necessary to make informed decisions surrounding sex.
The situation can seem pretty bleak (between pressure to not offend, the double bind of being a good slut, and sexual assault) and Orenstein doesn’t exactly provide a clear path forward. One of the key messages that emerged for me is the deeply personal nature of sexual choices. There isn’t a clear right and wrong (and whenever Orenstein implies that there might be, it doesn’t land well - whether it’s her assumptions about Miley Cyrus’s sexual displays or her critique of a purity commitment). As such, we really need to provide young people with all the resources necessary to make informed decisions surrounding sex.
This is a very important book. I don't have children, but I think not only is this important for parents no matter the gender of their child, for school administrators, teachers, policy-makers, etc. It also made me reflect on my experiences in high school and university and how I found it difficult to say no and would often just go with the flow because it was the path of least resistance. I am a much more assertive person now in my 30s and I wish I could go back to my younger self and instill more of that into her.
To anyone who reads this book, the first parts will be, at times, discomfiting to the point of being horrific. But it ends on an optimistic note, I promise!
To anyone who reads this book, the first parts will be, at times, discomfiting to the point of being horrific. But it ends on an optimistic note, I promise!
DNF, stopped on page 12. Good read so far, I've just been sitting on it too long.
(3.5) I was a bit disappointed by this book, having picking it up with expectations set high by Boys & Sex. In comparison to its more recent counterpart, Girls & Sex felt inconsistent at best. Parts, like the last chapter about sex education, I thoroughly enjoyed. Yet the majority of the book struggled to do justice to the subject matter's complexity. While Orenstein certainly introduced many of the contradictions and complications girls face regarding sex and sexuality, several chapters fell flat, resorting to trite generalities rather than sustaining nuanced discussion. The voices and anecdotes of the author's interviewees—such a refreshing and integral part of Boys & Sex—were few and far between. Instead, the book's research felt stitched together by a heavy-handed amount of authorial editorializing that at times truncated the conversation, robbing it of depth and potential. The chapter on LGBTQ+ girls was particularly disappointing and more or less ignored trans girls completely, excepting a few hurried and dismissive asides. Overall, while I appreciated several aspects of this book and believe the topic incredibly important, Girls & Sex fell short of its potential.
A really good overview of the cultural changes around female sexuality and cultural assumptions about the same. There was a lot that resonated personally for me around the confusing contradictions and expectations of the female experience, what is self-inflicted, and what usually comes from outside pressures. I wouldn't consider this authoritative on the entire subject, but could imagine it being a really useful book for a lot of individuals or demographic groups looking for more insights into the subject of young adult female sexuality and how to thoughtfully navigate it - yourself or helping young women you care about do the same.
A great and informative read all about, you guessed it, sex. I thought it focused too much on the college experience and that it seemed to be more about white girls. How is sex taught like in underprivileged schools? What do those girls and women feel? Thought provoking for sure. I'd love too see a book called "Guys and Sex."
Such a great book that dives into the complicated world of sexuality. Loved it.
Reading the book was fascinating look into modern hookup culture, dating, intimacy and sex ed, consent and cultural ideas of female sexuality in the US. The source listings at the back of the book are a good resource as well. The author lets you know upfront her sampling was mainly white, heteronormative college aged girls with minimal socioeconomic diversity or ethnic diversity, so this book is in no means a stand-alone for understanding the depth and breadth of issues around girls and sex. Her research and interviews are shared in tandem with her own opinions and conclusions, while making space for the readers to drawn their own conclusions as well. Nonetheless, I found it a relevant, important read for parents and educators and policy makers and lawmakers and teens.
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Everyone needs to read this book! Everyone deserves healthy sexual relationships!!
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Published in 2016 so some information, and some of the author’s opinions, feel outdated. Would not recommend for queer individuals or people of color but I personally found the book to be relatable and interesting.