|
Book Review
The Wonder of Girls
Understanding the Hidden Nature of Our Daughters
By Michael Gurian
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: January 2002
| About the Book | About the Author | The Review | Where to Order | Free Chapter |
About the Book
Michael Gurian, whose national bestseller The Wonder of Boys presented a radical and enlightening view of parenting sons, now offers a groundbreaking approach to raising daughters. In The Wonder of Girls, Gurian, himself the father of two girls, provides crucial information for fully understanding the basic nature of girls: up-to-date scientific research on female biology, hormones, and brain development and how they shape girls' interests, behavior, and relationships.
He also offers insight into a culture mired in competition between traditionalism and feminism and a new vision that provides for the equal status of girls and women yet acknowledges their nature as complex and distinct from men. He explains what is "normal" for girls each year from birth to age 20; what developmental needs girls face in each stage; how to communicate effectively with girls; and how to cope with developmental crises such as early sexuality, eating disorders, parental divorce, and more.
With personal insights, practical tips, real-life anecdotes, and accessible science, The Wonder of Girls creates a new parenting paradigm. Key elements include:
- a nature-based approach to why girls are the way they are
- the connection between the need for profound attachment and the physical and brain development of girls
- support for a girl's inherent need for intimacy
- tools to protect girls' self-esteem and emotional life
- a new approach to girls' character development and rites of passage.
With this scientifically based developmental map of girlhood, Gurian equips parents with a comprehensive guide for raising daughters. Challenging our culture to examine and embrace a crucial piece of the puzzle missing thus far, The Wonder of Girls elevates the dialogue on parenthood.
About the Author
Michael Gurian
Michael Gurian is a therapist, educator, and bestselling author. His work has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and Time, and on Today, CNN, and National Public Radio. He is the co-founder of the Michael Gurian Institute, which administers training in child development and education. He lives with his wife, Gail, and two daughters in Spokane, Washington.
The Review
Feminists beware! This book gently, yet forcefully flies in the face of all the bullsh*t teachings of the hardcore feminist movement of the past 30 years or so. Hooray!
In reading just the first few chapters I became increasingly impressed with the message The Wonder of Girls was trying to convey. Although no one book can singularly identify every female, this book encourages a way of questioning and thinking that has been largely ignored.
The messages and signals that girls receive are definitely mixed. From society, the media, parents, etc. I know - I was (and still am) a girl. Not only is it helpful for people to discover what makes us tick, it's also so very important for us to discover what makes us tick! So much of life is spent discovering both who we are and why we are. The Wonder of Girls is just the beginning of a magnificent journey of understanding. Beneficial for daughters, mothers and even teachers - I think that fathers may benefit most from this book.
~Trixie, February 2002
Where to Buy
Amazon.com
Send this review to a friend
Post your own Book Reviews here
Previous review
List of reviews
Next review
Missed a Past Book Review? Read them
here!
|
|
Looking for a book?
Use this convenient Search Box from Amazon.com
|
|
Printer Friendly Version