First book of the New Year to be finished was The Triple Bind by Stephen Hinshaw. Overall an excellent read. Dr. Hinshaw explores the pressures facing today's teenage girl's and explains his theory of what he has termed the "triple bind."
Though I am no longer a teenage girl I certainly related to the book. I enjoyed the pop culture references used to illustrate his points as well. Some of them did make me feel a little old though as they were not the same things I grew up with during my teen years. The author references Gossip Girl and the A List Novels which I only have very limited former library worker knowledge on.
Bratz Dolls and Pussycat Dolls: Teaching our Girls to become Sexual Objects was definitely my favorite chapter. I have been complaining about the Bratz Dolls since I first saw them. Hinshaw words what I've never quite been able to put in words in this chapter when it comes to oversexed musical groups and pimped out dolls.
My least favorite chapter was The Wired Child: How Cyberculture Interferes with Girl's Identities. In all fairness the chapter itself wasn't poorly written or uninteresting by any means. It was my least favorite because the opening story is one I have hated since I heard about it when it first happened. It's the story of the suicide of Megan Meier. I was disgusted and saddened when I first heard about this and still three years later just reading about it again upset me. Hinshaw makes valid points in this chapter but they are quite scary to think about.
The book also includes many stories from teen girls and since it's a recent book it's pretty applicable. I found it fascinating to read and have a feeling I'll be thinking about it at least for the next few days.
Current Read: "A" is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
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