51 pages • 1 hour read
Peggy OrensteinGirls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Girls & Sex, Peggy Orenstein investigates the sexual lives of adolescent girls by interviewing over 70 young women and consulting with psychologists and experts. She explores themes such as self-objectification, contemporary sexual practices, the notion of virginity, hookup culture, the experiences of queer girls, and issues of sexual assault and consent. Orenstein suggests improvements in sex education by looking at successful programs in the Netherlands. The book includes explicit stories of sexual behavior and sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Peggy Orenstein's Girls & Sex is lauded for its insightful exploration of female sexuality amid societal pressures, offering a candid look at the experiences of young women. Reviewers commend its thorough research and empathetic narrative, though some criticize its anecdotal focus and lack of diverse perspectives. A vital read for understanding modern sexual dynamics.
Who Should Read Girls & Sex?
Readers who appreciated Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher or Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski will find Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein insightful. Ideal for parents, educators, and those interested in female adolescent sexuality, this book combines research with interviews to explore the complexities young women face today.