Why Girls Talk and What
They're Really Saying (McGraw Hill , 2004)
Shaffer and Gordon address the incredible challenges facing teenage girls today; from peer pressure to unrealistic expectations about beauty, lifestyle, early or unwanted sexual experiences, the importance of popularity, and fitting in. The symptoms of these constant pressures are manifold and take on such characteristics as eating disorders, self-mutilation ("cutting"), substance abuse, bullying, and depression.
Shaffer and Gordon address the incredible challenges facing teenage girls today; from peer pressure to unrealistic expectations about beauty, lifestyle, early or unwanted sexual experiences, the importance of popularity, and fitting in. The symptoms of these constant pressures are manifold and take on such characteristics as eating disorders, self-mutilation (“cutting”), substance abuse, bullying, and depression. In this unique sourcebook, Shaffer and Gordon provide parents with invaluable tools in directing daughters away from distorted messages and negative self-image, and toward resilience, self-confidence, and high expectations.
“Shaffer and Gordon offer a nurturing voice of encouragement in helping us understand how the teen years are filled with change, confusion, challenge and crisis -- all in the midst of social expectations and academic demands that place the entire family in a pressure cooker of stress. In the face of these daily struggles, the authors of this book filled with sage advice give us a guide toward the communication, compassion, and connection that our teenage daughters (and sons) so vitally need to thrive.”
--Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of The Developing Mind and Parenting from the Inside Out
"While there are books that analyze girls' talk - particularly mean-sprited, gossiply talk - this really isn't one of them. Rather it's aimed at helping parents stay connected with their teenage daughters. The authors offer what the harassed really need, a clearly stated list of dos, don'ts and try not tos."
