I took my time reading this book - there is an abundance of information and advice and I wanted to soak it all up. I broke my cardinal rule while reading, and I dog eared numerous pages, underlined passages and wrote notes in the margins. I’ve already applied some of the lessons to my own life and to my nine year old daughter’s. ( )

In The Curse of the Good Girl, bestselling author Rachel Simmons argues that in lionizing the Good Girl we are teaching girls to embrace a version of selfhood that sharply curtails their power and potential. Unerringly nice, polite, modest, and selfless, the Good Girl is a paradigm so narrowly defined that it's unachievable. When girls inevitably fail to live up-experiencing conflicts with peers, making mistakes in the classroom or on the playing field-they are paralyzed by self-criticism, stunting the growth of vital skills and habits. Simmons traces the poisonous impact of Good Girl pressure on development and provides a strategy to reverse the tide. At once expository and prescriptive, The Curse of the Good Girl is a call to arms from a new front in female empowerment.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting from this book. The first part was really interesting as it details a lot of pitfalls girls experience as they try to live out the ideals of a Good Girl, selfless, smart, friendly and perfect. The author points out how while in theory these are all great attributes, they lead to girls who grow up into women who are afraid of confrontation, criticism, and, ultimately, character growth.

The second part is almost like a workbook for parents of daughters. I pretty much skimmed the second part because I don't have kids, but I suppose it would be useful information if I ever have a daughter in the future. ( )

The Curse of the Good Girl"" by Rachel Simmons

Do Naughty Girls Go Far? I wish I had this book when I as 14 years old! High School seemed a blur of emotions and a feeling of overwhelm.

Simmons exposes the “myth of the Good Girl”—a paradigm characterized by being unerringly nice, polite, modest, and selfless—arguing that we are teaching our girls in ways that limit their power and potential.

Girls Give Away Their Power

Society provides confusing messages to girls. As young children girls they are fed fairy tales that teach complance. Then thrust into the working world as young adults that suddenly demands competence, confidence and assertiveness.

"Unerringly nice, polite and selfless" the "good girl' is so narro it is impossible to attain.

Conflicting messages for girls: "Be confident but do it quietly", "be strong but don't make anyone angry"...

Ms. Simmons offers insights gleaned from her workshops from the Girl's Leadership Institute, which she founded.

Sample of topics: communication, distorted thinking, authenticity.

The Greater Voice of Myself

This is an intelligent book, without the usual bromides. It is thought provoking and asks you to read it several times. It's a "Mom" book -- a books for Mothers and Fathers to read to help their daughters.

It would be great if Rachel Simmons coud publish another book strictly for teen-age girls, with pictures and simple to read. This books is a MUST for teachers and parents. It's about girls finding their "truth", the true voice , their life guide. This is a VITAL SUBJECT.

This book is a MUST for any woman to read!
It's never too late!

*** http://www.Vaboomer.com has a copy to Giveaway*** (Drawing is Sept 2) ( )