51 pages 1 hour read

Peggy Orenstein

Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Girls & Sex, Peggy Orenstein investigates the sexual lives of adolescent girls by interviewing over 70 young women and consulting with psychologists and experts. She explores themes such as self-objectification, contemporary sexual practices, the notion of virginity, hookup culture, the experiences of queer girls, and issues of sexual assault and consent. Orenstein suggests improvements in sex education by looking at successful programs in the Netherlands. The book includes explicit stories of sexual behavior and sexual assault.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Peggy Orenstein's Girls & Sex is lauded for its insightful exploration of female sexuality amid societal pressures, offering a candid look at the experiences of young women. Reviewers commend its thorough research and empathetic narrative, though some criticize its anecdotal focus and lack of diverse perspectives. A vital read for understanding modern sexual dynamics.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Girls & Sex?

Readers who appreciated Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher or Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski will find Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein insightful. Ideal for parents, educators, and those interested in female adolescent sexuality, this book combines research with interviews to explore the complexities young women face today.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Gender / Feminism

Parenting

Psychology

Themes

Identity: Sexuality

Identity: Femininity

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Genre

Psychology

Self Help