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A review by mokey4
Girl Land by Caitlin Flanagan
3.0
This book was worth a read, though it has some problems. There are some interesting insights and personal stories that will help me on the journey of raising two girls. But the message seems inconsistent and not very useful at times. It's hard for me to say what Flanagan's main point is. Be wary of popular culture & social norms, and try to protect your girls from them. But there's not much you can do, according to Flanagan, outside of keeping the internet out of your kid's room -good luck nowadays, with tablets and phones and all that. I am going to do my best.. but I admit I'm afraid there's going to be a point where it won't really be possible to physically shield my kids from the ravages of social media and all that the internet offers.
I think the book is missing a couple of important points about raising girls. Flanagan doesn't talk about the importance of self esteem, and having a girl who is strong-minded and has goals and ambitions. Who isn't afraid to be apart from the crowd. And I think that is such an important omission. Another important omission is the actual strength of the relationship between the girl and her parent(s). Sure, the relationship is going to suffer a beating during the adolescent years (she makes that point loud and clear), but I think that getting through those years as unscathed as possible might depend to some extent on having the basis of support from her family. Knowing that she is loved and known, or at least once was.
I think the book is missing a couple of important points about raising girls. Flanagan doesn't talk about the importance of self esteem, and having a girl who is strong-minded and has goals and ambitions. Who isn't afraid to be apart from the crowd. And I think that is such an important omission. Another important omission is the actual strength of the relationship between the girl and her parent(s). Sure, the relationship is going to suffer a beating during the adolescent years (she makes that point loud and clear), but I think that getting through those years as unscathed as possible might depend to some extent on having the basis of support from her family. Knowing that she is loved and known, or at least once was.