Kryptonite & Tweens: "The Curse of the Good Girl" Book Review

 by Nancy Mehegan

"The Curse of the Good Girl:  Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence " by Rachel Simmons

I needed this book in High School

I wish I had this book when I was 14 years old!   High School seemed a blur of emotions and a feeling of overwhelm.

Good Girl Myth

Simmons exposes the “myth of the Good Girl”—a paradigm characterized by being unerringly nice, polite, modest, and selfless.

"Unerringly nice, polite and selfless" the "good girl' is so narrow it is impossible to attain.

Conflicting messages for girls:  "Be confident but do it quietly", "be strong but don't make anyone angry"...  Ms. Simmons offers insights gleaned from her workshops  from the Girl's Leadership Institute, which she founded. 

Sample of topics:  communication, distorted thinking, authenticity.

Kryptonite

Simmons argues that we are teaching our girls in ways that limit their power and potential as society provides confusing messages to girls. 

As young children, girls are fed fairy tales that teach compliance and self-effacing modesty.  Then thrust into the working world as young adults that suddenly demands competence, confidence and assertiveness.  It's a bit like the "double-bind" psychologists describe of contradictory messages.  In a sense girls are forced to walk around with a big chunk of kryptonite that drains them of all power. (like Superman, remember?)

The Greater Voice of Myself

This is an intelligent book, without the usual bromides.  It is thought provoking and asks you to read it several times.  It's a "Mom" book -- a books for Mothers and Fathers to read to help their daughters.

It would be great if Rachel Simmons coud publish another book strictly for teen-age girls, with pictures and simple to read.  This books is a MUST for teachers and parents.  It's about girls finding their "truth", the true voice , their life guide.  This is a VITAL SUBJECT. 

This book is a MUST for any woman to read!

  It's never too late!

*** Vaboomer has a copy to Giveaway*** To enter Drawing send email to contact@boomermade.com  (Drawing is Sept 9) 

Comments

[Nancy Mehegan]

Just send an email, and indicate in the body the title of the book you are interested in. ~ Nancy (Vaboomer.com)

send email to: contact@boomermade.com

[Sashi]

Hi :) I would like to enter the competition but I'm not sure whether I have to send a blank email or say something in it.

[Nancy Mehegan]

whoops -- I deleted someone's comment by mistake. Please repost! ~~ Nancy (co-founder, Vaboomer)