Caitlin Flanagan Knihy

The acclaimed and provocative book about what girls have lost and gained in the 21st century: "A compelling, convincing case for more parental involvement in girls' lives" (Kirkus Reviews). Caitlin Flanagan's essays have sparked national debate. Here she turns her attention to girls, and how the biological and cultural milestones shape their budding identities. Adolescence is a transformative period that has radically changed over the generations: from how a girl learns about her period to how she expects to be treated by men, boys, and even other women. In a world where privacy and personal freedom are encroached upon daily, Flanagan examines and redefines the ultimate challenge that we face in protecting, nurturing, and defending our girls.

Poses controversial observations about the rituals and rites of passage that shape women's lives in the twenty-first century, from lavish weddings and modern sex to housekeeping and work-life imbalances.