Mother Daughter Revolution: From Betrayal to Power

How should mothers help their daughters face adolescence? Based mostly on their joint research into the history and present status of women, Harvard Project consultant Debold and Wilson and Malave, president and vice-president, respectively, of the Ms. Foundation, respond to that question in this intense feminist tract. Contending that ``separation is not necessary to a daughter's self-esteem,'' they further suggest that with closeness to their daughters, mothers can ``support girls in resisting the unnecessary losses they experience in growing into womanhood: losses of voice, of freedom, of power to do and be in the world.'' The authors charge that popular cultural patterns are aggravated by the ``betrayal'' of mothers, who, eager to avoid risk, pass on to their daughters the self-negating attitudes that have been considered desirable in women in a patriarchal society. In addition to bonding of mother and daughter, the authors advocate family support with the father as ``ally.'' Most of all, they declare, daughters must know that women are serious about ``making the world a place where they dare to be whole, true, and powerful.'' 75,000 first printing; $100,00 ad/promo; BOMC and QPB featured alternates; author tour. (Oct.)