Customer Reviews

Girlfighting: Betrayal and Rejection among Girls

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Lyn Mikel Brown uses her excellent expertise on the matter of "girlfighting" and everything that goes with it. Her knowledge of the subject balanced with her own stories perfectly fit the book for a entertaining yet educational work.

First, let me identify myself as a very critical reader of books that deal with the anthropology and psychology of pre-teens, tweens, and adolescents. There is plenty of dross on the market, and I am so pleased that this book is not part of that rubbish heap.

This is a very thoughtful, balanced work. There is no jumping to conclusions after a few anecdotal examples (which usually seems to be the case). There is a a lot of genuine analysis. Kudos!

Lyn Mikel Brown respects girls. This book is a huge departure from the other pop psychology books about "mean girls". Lyn Brown has been guiding us for years through the labyrinth of girls issues with her other fine work. Add Girlfighting to the list. This book really goes deeply into the culture of how and why girls are developing the way they are. Brown wants us to change things for girls; she wants us to open our eyes to the pressures on girls. She gives us all hope through understanding and realizing how we can help girls feel strong and supportive of one another. This is a great book for parents, educators, and therapists, anyone who wants to understand what makes girls tick.

I read this book as part of a feminist psychology class. It was my favorite reading in the class and I wholly recommend it.

Though I will admit that it is a very academic book, it is definately not a difficult read. And as bullying among boys has been studied for a long time, this book fills the CRITICAL-- but largely missing--narrative of female competition and power struggle. When my teacher introduced this book to us, she asked: "Should have Brown included boys in her book?" The answer is NO, this is a whole different beast. It all boils down to girls and women seeking routes to power in a society that says that they must be "good" and tries to force them to be weak.

Brown really knows what she is talking about. All of her arguments and conclusions are based on extensive qualitative-- and some quantitative--research and it is clear that her theories and observations ring true.

This book is truly AMAZING and englightening. It is an essential read for girls, women, parents, educators, and ALL.

READ IT!

If one were to consider a brand, which is so popular today, then Lyn Mikel Brown's brand as a scholar and girls' activist is impeccable -- it is the Gold Standard. When one sits down to read Brown's work they will consistently find that she is thorough, respectful, probing, highly reflective and that she writes in a way that is quite engaging. Brown always brings a new perspective or relevant knowledge to the table. The topic of girlfighting is timely, as we are in a period in America in which many girls are becoming more physically aggressive and confrontational, and there is a lot of bullying going on. Brown provides important insights into girls' relationships and behaviors to policy makers and practioners that can help them to better address emerging challenges that beset contemporary girlhood. I highly recommend this book.

Although being forced to read this for class, I set out trying to enjoy it. However, the author constantly uses interviews with six year olds as psychological evidence, regardless of the observer-expectancy effect and ends up dragging on for way too long.