Girls & sex navigating the complicated new landscape

"Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape" is a book written by Peggy Orenstein, a journalist and author, that explores the changing attitudes and experiences of young women and girls in the 21st century. The book focuses on the complex and often contradictory messages that girls and young women receive about sex, relationships, and their bodies.

The book is based on Orenstein's research and interviews with over 70 girls and young women, as well as with experts in the fields of psychology, sociology, and education. The book explores a range of topics, including:

  1. The impact of social media on girls' and young women's self-esteem and body image
  2. The rise of hookup culture and the challenges it poses for young women
  3. The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and the limitations this can place on girls' and young women's choices and aspirations
  4. The importance of consent and healthy communication in sexual relationships
  5. The need for more comprehensive and inclusive sex education that addresses the diverse experiences and needs of girls and young women

Throughout the book, Orenstein argues that the traditional gender binary is no longer sufficient to explain the complex and multifaceted experiences of girls and young women. She contends that girls and young women are caught between competing expectations and messages, and that they often struggle to navigate the contradictions and complexities of their own desires, needs, and identities.

The book also highlights the ways in which societal expectations and norms can limit girls' and young women's choices and opportunities, and the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable society that values and supports the diverse experiences and needs of all individuals.

Overall, "Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape" is a thought-provoking and timely book that offers a nuanced and compassionate exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing girls and young women in the 21st century.