cover image Growing a Girl: Seven Strategies for Raising a Strong, Spirited Daughter

Growing a Girl: Seven Strategies for Raising a Strong, Spirited Daughter

Barbara Mackoff. Dell Publishing Company, $17 (320pp) ISBN 978-0-440-50661-4

It's no news that many self-assured, spirited girls lose their exuberance and confidence during adolescence. Mackoff, a family therapist, hopes to counteract this effect by arming parents with the means to help younger girls (preschool through age 12) develop and maintain confidence as they grow. The author--who conducts ""Growing a Girl"" parenting workshops--claims that the ""biggest difference between girls and boys is how we treat them."" Readers need not necessarily agree with that sweeping statement in order to appreciate Mackoff's sound specific advice on providing girls with positive female role models, encouraging girls in science and math and nurturing competence and self-reliance. Mackoff discusses why team sports are beneficial for girls, why parents should praise girls for accomplishments rather than beauty, how to keep girls safe without instilling fear and other pertinent topics. Key ideas are boxed at chapter endings, and non-sexist reading and software suggestions for girls are included. The text is softened with personal anecdotes about Mackoff and her daughter, though some of her own family rules may seem restrictive or petty (no Barbies, scratchy lace or bow headbands for her baby Hannah). Still, this well-researched book--Mackoff cites studies and statistics throughout--will make parents think twice about the messages their daughters are receiving from home as well as from their communities. (Nov.)