Girlfighting: Betrayal and Rejection among Girls (Paperback)

by Lyn Brown (Author) "NO MORE SUGAR AND SPICE and everything nice..." (more)
Key Phrases: heterosexual script, relational aggression, horizontal violence, African American, Carol Gilligan, Hannah Arendt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"While schools and parents scramble to once again 'fix girls' via meanness prevention programs, Lyn Brown gives us a wider, different, and eye-opening view of the problem. . . . This is the smartest book on mean girls around."

- Sharon Lamb, author of The Secret Lives of Girls

"This book opens discussion related to the female gender role and the socialization of girls in many different, thought provoking ways, and serves as a timely critique of the current societal messages directed toward girls."

- Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy

"Brown declares that to change the patterns of female animosity we must address the social environment as well as the individual."

- Women's Review of Books

"Brown's book, however, is a clear departure from the film [Mean Girls] stereotypes about dumb, mean, backstabbing girls."

- Waterville, Sunday Morning Sentinel

"Girlfighting is a serious and intelligent analysis of the cruelty and meanness involved in girls' relationships at each stage of development."

- Pyschiatric Services

Product Description
For some time, reality TV, talk shows, soap-operas, and sitcoms have turned their spotlights on women and girls who thrive on competition and nastiness. Few fairytales lack the evil stepmother, wicked witch, or jealous sister. Even cartoons feature mean and sassy girls who only become sweet and innocent when adults appear. And recently, popular books and magazines have turned their gaze away from ways of positively influencing girls' independence and self-esteem and towards the topic of girls' meanness to other girls. What does this say about the way our culture views girlhood? How much do these portrayals affect the way girls view themselves?

In Girlfighting, psychologist and educator Lyn Mikel Brown scrutinizes the way our culture nurtures and reinforces this sort of meanness in girls. She argues that the old adage "girls will be girls"--gossipy, competitive, cliquish, backstabbing-- and the idea that fighting is part of a developmental stage or a rite-of-passage, are not acceptable explanations. Instead, she asserts, girls are discouraged from expressing strong feelings and are pressured to fulfill unrealistic expectations, to be popular, and struggle to find their way in a society that still reinforces gender stereotypes and places greater value on boys. Under such pressure, in their frustration and anger, girls (often unconsciously) find it less risky to take out their fears and anxieties on other girls instead of challenging the ways boys treat them, the way the media represents them, or the way the culture at large supports sexist practices.

Girlfighting traces the changes in girls' thoughts, actions and feelings from childhood into young adulthood, providing the developmental understanding and theoretical explanation often lacking in other conversations. Through interviews with over 400 girls of diverse racial, economic, and geographic backgrounds, Brown chronicles the labyrinthine journey girls take from direct and outspoken children who like and trust other girls, to distrusting and competitive young women. She argues that this familiar pathway can and should be interrupted and provides ways to move beyond girlfighting to build girl allies and to support coalitions among girls.

By allowing the voices of girls to be heard, Brown demonstrates the complex and often contradictory realities girls face, helping us to better understand and critique the socializing forces in their lives and challenging us to rethink the messages we send them.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814799515
• ISBN-13: 978-0814799512
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #444,615 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best book on mean girls, April 10, 2005

By	Dr. Patti Feuereisen (nyc) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work, March 16, 2005

By	Ally7 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girlfighting: Betrayal and Rejection among Girls (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really well-done., December 1, 2005

By	Bart King (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!