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Girls on the Edge: Why So Many Girls Are Anxious, Wired, and Obsessed-And What Parents Can Do Audiobook
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(4.05) - 416 listener ratings
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In "the best book about the current state of girls and young women in America” (Atlantic), the New York Times-bestselling pediatrician outlines the four biggest threats to girls' psychological growth and how parents can help
Girls today are motivated and hardworking. In school, they regularly outperform boys. But beneath their confident exteriors too often lies a brittle sense of self. Girls are much more likely to experience anxiety and depression than boys, and that gap is increasing.
In Girls on the Edge, physician and psychologist Leonard Sax identifies four key threats to girls’ success: sexual identity, social media, obsessions, and environmental toxins. Sax provides practical advice on how to improve the odds for your daughter. He offers tips on everything from figuring out how much time on Instagram is too much, to helping your daughter choose which sports to play, to finding female-centered activities that provide good role models and opportunities for growth.
As urgent as it is inspiring, Girls on the Edge illuminates the way to ensure our daughters grow up to be independent, confident women.
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"I rushed through this book, partly because I had the Boys Adrift book to read also and I checked them out from the library, but also because I couldn't seem to learn all he had to say fast enough. Throughout my reading, the thought that kept coming to mind was, "It is so important that I read this now!" We all want our girls to grow up healthy and with great self esteem and habits. I thought his commentaries on the world we live in and what it is doing to our girls was spot on. I was very surprised in the 4th chapter, Endocrine Disruptors, and the possible side-effects of all the plastic/petroleum products we use--from water bottles to lotions. I am not convinced enough yet to make drastic changes, but interested to find out more and make adjustments along the way. (Switching to glass "tupperware" and stainless steel water bottles as my start.) I wish I took more notes while reading this, but I have a feeling I will be buying all three of his books soon and marking them up for future reference."
— Teresa (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Packed with advice and concrete suggestions for parents, Girls on the Edge is a treasure trove of rarely seen research on girls, offering families guidance on some of the most pressing issues facing girls today. Dr. Sax’s commitment to girls’ success comes through on every page.”
— Rachel Simmons, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“The best book about the current state of girls and young women in America.”
— The Atlantic -
“Crucial…Parents of tween and teen girls would do well to check this book.”
— Chronicle of Higher Education -
“Girls on the Edge doesn’t dramatize the self-destructive behavior it describes…[and it] speaks exclusively to parents and offers concrete ways to help their daughters cultivate stronger personal identities.”
— Slate -
“This is essential reading for parents and teachers and one of the most thought-provoking books on teen development available.”
— Library Journal -
The best book about the current state of girls and young women in America.—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic
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Packed with advice and concrete suggestions for parents, Girls on the Edge is a treasure trove of rarely seen research on girls, offering families guidance on some of the most pressing issues facing girls today. Dr. Sax's commitment to girls' success comes through on every page.—Rachel Simmons, author of Odd Girl Out,The Curse of the Good Girl, and Enough As She Is
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Crucial. . . . Parents of tween and teen girls would do well to check this book.—The Chronicle of Higher Education
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Dr. Sax once again combines years of experience with compelling research and common sense to intelligently challenge the status quo of what it means to raise a healthy daughter. Girls on the Edge offers skills parents can incorporate to feel more competent with our girls and young women.—Florence Hilliard, director of the Gender Studies Project, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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The world is way different from what it was a couple of years ago; this is essential reading for parents and teachers, and one of the most thought-provoking books on teen development available.—Library Journal
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Fortunately, [Leonard] Sax is up to more here than pronouncing young women irrevocably doomed. . . . Girls on the Edge doesn't dramatize the self-destructive behavior it describes . . . [and it] speaks exclusively to parents and offers concrete ways to help their daughters cultivate stronger personal identities.—Slate.com/Double X
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Turn off your cell phones and computers and read this book! You will connect with your daughter in new ways, and she will thank you.—Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, author ofGod's Paintbrush and In God's Name
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Leonard Sax brings together a rare combination of psychoanalytic training with a deep empathy for girls and their stories in this important book. His argument that girls are struggling to find their centers will resonate and his recommendations for how to locate them will inspire.—Courtney E. Martin, author ofPerfect Girls, Starving Daughters
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Dr. Sax's deep commitment to girls developing a positive 'sense of self' is woven into the fabric of this book. Girls on the Edge is a must-read for every parent of a girl as well as for every adult who teaches girls.—Dr. Mary Seppala, head of school,Agnes Irwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
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Leonard Sax sounds a crucial warning to parents of teenage girls. No matter how attentive and savvy you are, the lives of girls today are like nothing you ever knew. The obsessions are worse, nastiness is rampant (especially on the web), drinking is up, and sexuality keeps creeping down the age ladder. 'Girls need girl-specific interventions,' Sax insists, and Girls on the Edge explains why-and also how to do it.—Mark Bauerlein, PhD, professor, Emory University
Girls on the Edge Listener Reviews
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" This author has it right in my opinion. A must read for anyone with daughters. "
— Tammy, 2/17/2014 -
" Fascinating look at the environmental and social issues that girls are facing today. I would definitely recommend this book. "
— Kambree, 2/16/2014 -
" This book made me really think about what my girls are exposed to at all angles. I HIGHLY recommend this book if you have a daughter. The enviromental toxins and cyberbubble were really eye-opening for me. "
— Angela, 2/10/2014 -
" Another solid book by Dr. Sax who specializes in how boys and girls develop and learn differently during their childhood. This book is similar to "Boys Adrift" except for girls. In this book, Dr. Sax explains how elements of modern society including sexualization of girls, cyber connectivity, obsessions and plastics interfere with their healthy physical and mental development. The book contains some practical suggestions to counteract these negative influences. I feel better prepared having read this book, but worry that societal changes create a very unhealthy environment in which to grow up. While I prefer "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" by Mary Meeker for this genre, one cannot go wrong by reading this book before your daughter becomes a teen. "
— Marcus, 2/9/2014 -
" MUST READ.....If you are a parent of a tween/teen girl. "
— Swapna, 2/5/2014 -
" Another book by Sax. This book infuriated me because it hit on so many things that drive me crazy about our society and the uber-sex focus from everywhere aimed at girls. Both Sax books I would recommend to teachers or people who have kids. Even if you don't agree with him, it makes you think. "
— Marin, 1/20/2014 -
" I learned a lot from this book! "
— cmeiers, 1/10/2014 -
" A must read for anyone with daughters, or works with teenaged girls. "
— Deanna, 12/29/2013 -
" If you have a daughter under the age of 18, this is a MUST read book. Very insightful information. Very current, too. It is certainly going to change how I raise my daughter! "
— Rob, 12/27/2013 -
" One stop shop for some information on your daughters and their coming challenges. I listened to this on audio. Not sure if this is completely accurate but it seems to give a clinical analysis of girls issues. "
— Sam, 12/12/2013 -
" I loved all three of his books, and so glad I read them while my kids are still young. "
— Melanie, 12/6/2013 -
" Everyone should read this book. It identified - clearly - the major crises facing young girls and women today. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! "
— Sacha, 12/5/2013 -
" Wonderful book. Made me think. It will change the way I raise my daughter. "
— Allison, 12/2/2013 -
" Wrote review in other posting of this book "
— Devinne, 7/11/2013 -
" Frightening but spot-on. Really enjoyed it. Gives me some better perspective on what modern girls experience--much more "in your face" culture and behavior than I experienced at the same age. "
— Nic, 7/4/2013 -
" Insightful and thought provoking reading for parents of girls of all ages. "
— Jo, 9/8/2012 -
" I really liked Leonard Sax' book "Boys Adrift", and seeing this one, check it out and thought it pretty good as well. I would definitely recommend his books to parents, I think they contain lots of good information "
— John, 9/6/2012 -
" I loved this book, but probably a tiny bit less than his other books. Still definitely worth adding to my personal library someday. Everyone who has daughters or works with teenage girls should read this. "
— Christie, 8/16/2012 -
" This was part of my research into solutions to student anxiety. Some very insightful conclusions. Agreed with the part about co-ruminating. ( the natter makes things worse) Some very simplistic and naive solutions. ( almost 1950's-ish) "
— Pat, 3/29/2012 -
" A must read for parents of young girls - very practical advise and insightful views. "
— Cindy, 3/12/2012 -
" A must read for any parent of girls. Just know that it is pretty descriptive at some points. "
— Rachel, 3/6/2012 -
" Surprising conclusion at the end of the book: teenage girls need first of all some spiritual development. "
— Bernard, 2/19/2012 -
" Must read for every parent of girls! "
— Amanda, 12/11/2011 -
" Read it to learn more about the "tween" age, as I was doing a project for school. Very good read. "
— Lauren, 9/7/2011 -
" A must read for parents of young girls who want to educate themselves on the issues and challenges facing women growing up in today's culture. Very thought provoking & full of valuable information. "
— Becky, 7/27/2011 -
" This book should be required reading for anyone trying to raise a girl. It gave me some good ideas on what to say, what not to say, and what to watch for in teenage girls (and younger). "
— Amy, 7/23/2011 -
" A must read if you have girls. (Checked out from the local library) "
— Stacy, 6/11/2011 -
" If you read Boys Adrift, Girls on the Edge, and Gender Matters, you get a little repetition. This is such a great book to help raise a happy and healthy daughter. I'm glad I read it. "
— Melissa, 5/4/2011 -
" I really liked Leonard Sax' book "Boys Adrift", and seeing this one, check it out and thought it pretty good as well. I would definitely recommend his books to parents, I think they contain lots of good information<br/> "
— John, 4/30/2011 -
" Frightenly good. Well written and easy to read. It would be nice if this was required reading for all educators, coaches, and parents. "
— Emma, 1/31/2011 -
" Amazing book for anyone w/ daughters. He has another, BOYS ADRIFT, about raising boys. "
— Leslie, 1/21/2011 -
" I learned a lot from this book! "
— cmeiers, 1/10/2011 -
" Wrote review in other posting of this book "
— Devinne, 10/26/2010 -
" Good book concerning the threats that girls VCR growing up. It was especially intestine since my sister is going through that age now and I already have so it was interesting looking at what might be some underlying causing in our behaviors. "
— Devinne, 10/26/2010 -
" Frightening but spot-on. Really enjoyed it. Gives me some better perspective on what modern girls experience--much more "in your face" culture and behavior than I experienced at the same age. "
— Nic, 9/3/2010 -
" A must read for parents of young girls who want to educate themselves on the issues and challenges facing women growing up in today's culture. Very thought provoking & full of valuable information. "
— Becky, 8/25/2010 -
" This book makes me glad that I'm not raising a daughter today. There's so much more to deal with. This is a must read for those parenting and educating girls. The companion book "Boys at Risk" promises guidance for parenting and educating boys. "
— Lynn, 8/21/2010 -
" Fascinating look at the environmental and social issues that girls are facing today. I would definitely recommend this book. "
— Kambree, 8/11/2010 -
" A must read for parents of young girls - very practical advise and insightful views. "
— Cindy, 8/3/2010
About Leonard Sax
Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., is a practicing family physician, a PhD psychologist, and a speaker for community groups, schools, and professional organizations. His scholarly work has been published in a wide variety of journals including American Psychologist, Annals of Family Medicine, Behavioral Neuroscience, Environmental Health Perspectives, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. He has been a featured guest on CNN, PBS, The TODAY Show, Fox News, NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and many other national programs. He lives with his wife and daughter in suburban Philadelphia.