Strong, Smart, and Bold: Empowering Girls for Life (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jane Fonda (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Numerous books are available that discuss statistics on the changes young women go through between ages 8 and 14. New educational programs and new opportunities for girls in sports are just a couple of positive changes that have resulted from such titles as Reviving Ophelia and In a Different Voice. If you're wondering how to put these theories into practice, Strong, Smart, and Bold is the book you're looking for; here you'll find a wealth of specific suggestions based around "The Girls' Bill of Rights". Start with evaluating what chores your daughter is responsible for around the home--do they fall under traditional "female" responsibilities like doing the dishes, cooking, and laundry? It may be time to turn the tables and get her started on chopping wood, mowing the lawn, or computer hardware installation. One practical idea is sponsoring a "Girls Under the Hood" program for your daughter and her friends--shouldn't every driver know how to check tire pressure, change the oil, and refill the fluids? Some suggestions are more about opening up communication, and use open-ended questions like "When do you feel safe?" and "How do you feel about your looks?" There are also many opportunities for mothers to ask similar questions of themselves--do you remember what strange fashions your friends liked when you were a teen? These may be some of the most important questions in the book, as according to nationally sponsored essay contests, "99 percent of girls chose their mother as the person they admire most in their lives because of the advice they've been given by her." --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal

Based on the principles and programs of Girls Inc. (formerly Girls Clubs), Strong, Smart, & Bold provides relevant advice to those who are parenting the 36 million girls of school age in America. Girls Inc. is a national advocacy organization for girls between the ages of six and 18. The title is the motto of Girls Inc., and each chapter is based on one of the principles of the Girls Inc. Bill of Rights: freedom from gender stereotypes and freedom of expression, and the rights to take risks, appreciate their bodies, have confidence, and prepare for work. Many practical exercises are offered to parents and mentors for advancing these ideas, and examples are used throughout, making the text very readable. Because of its exclusive focus on school-age girls, this book fills a niche in the market of parenting books. Appendixes offer resources, web sites, and references. Actress/producer Jane Fonda, chair of the Girls Inc. Rights Campaign, offers a stirring foreword. Recommended. Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060197714
• ISBN-13: 978-0060197711
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,004,407 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Ideas for Parents of Girls!, July 11, 2001

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This book reminded me of the thoughts I had when our younger daughter was born. How could my wife and I help her to have an open door to pursue the opportunities that meant the most to her? I wish this book had been available to us then!

Give this book to parents when their daughters are born.

The foreword by Ms. Jane Fonda particularly moved me. She describes how she went from being a person with strong ambitions to a teenager who was timid and concerned about how others would see her. For many years, her "inner voice" was lost, and she finds herself only recapturing it in her sixties.

The model of this book is to have girls know their rights as people and to be advocates of those rights for herself and others. Girls Inc. was founded in 1945 and has done good work in helping establish equal opportunity by gender.

The organization has established a bill of rights for girls that includes the right to:

-- "be themselves and to resist gender stereotypes"

-- "express themselves with originality and enthusiasm"

-- "take roles, to strive freely, and to take pride in success"

-- "accept and appreciate their bodies"

-- "have confidence in their selves and to be safe in the world"

-- "prepare for interesting work and economic independence."

Many people would agree that these are worthy goals. What I liked was that the book reported about research that Girls Inc. has conducted to find out how parents can help.

As you may have guessed, girls look to their Moms to lead the way. In a recent survey, 99 percent replied that Mom was their heroine and guide to planning their own lives. By describing her own life choices at the same age, Mom can help make these transitions more understandable and positive.

Further, Mom and Dad can work together to emphasize filling in experiences and knowledge that girls might not otherwise get. Why shouldn't girls find out how cars work? Sons will often benefit from the same instruction. I know I would have.

Unlike many books and research on gender issues, this book does not try to make males out as the villain of the problem. Instead, the book emphasizes how girls can become more knowledgeable, confident, and able to take care of themselves. I was especially impressed with the section called "My Future."

After you read and discuss this book, I suggest that you think back to where you lacked support (whether you were a girl or a boy) as a youngster. Will your children have the same issues? If so, how can you help them have better choices and capabilities? What other issues will your children have that you did not? How can you help with those?

Give your children the benefit of thinking through their lives carefully and knowledgeably . . . with as few limits as possible!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic, Real-Life & Researched!, April 7, 2002

By A Customer

For anyone who has a daughter, niece, sister. For mothers who were once-upon-a-time daughters. For fathers, uncles and friends. This is required reading and requested sharing. It is a realistic definition of "empowering" -- but more, of "inspiring" -- girls to find/use their voices and goals within a society that still has a "pink and blue" mentality. The base -- an organization, Girls Incorporated, that has inspired millions of girls for more than 80 years to discover, stretch, and own their possibilities. The content is not anti-male but is full of realistic (and research-based) ideas to help young girls (based on Girls Inc. experience with girls nationwide) reach their full potential. Everyday tips and experiences; teachable moments; eye- and mind-opening opportunties. No lectures; no heavy research -- just a solid dose of reality. Valuable for grown-up girls, too! (Mid-life crisis gift??)

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So different from what's out there now!, March 12, 2001

By	"jadoree" (San Fran) - See all my reviews

While many books now box girls into gender sterotypes,this book shows girls how to reinforce their confidence so they can overcome societal pressure to conform to the myths about girls and their abilities.You do not here the usuall "girls can't do math" or "girls are less aggressive" those being the sterotypes to overcome..what you read are insightful tools to reinforce confidence and individuality.