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Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls

by Liz Funk

Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls Cover

ISBN13: 9781416562634
ISBN10: 141656263x
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Some girls seem to have it all...

The top grades
The best clothes
A great body
A cute boyfriend

But they may also have...

Exhaustion
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Crippling insecurity

From grammar school girls to working women, the pressure to be perfect is spreading like a disease. These Supergirls feel the unrelenting need to succeed — sometimes at the cost of their own happiness and sanity. A recovering Supergirl herself, Liz Funk exposes the dangerous consequences that can come from striving for perfection. By closely following five girls and interviewing nearly one hundred more, she takes us inside the Supergirl psyche, explaining the causes of this phenomenon and showing how Supergirls can let their (sleek and shiny) hair down and find some time to relax and enjoy life!

With practical advice, biting humor, and the sensitivity of someone who's been through it all, Funk's Supergirls Speak Out is the absolutely necessary companion for any girl who thinks 100 percent just isn't enough.

Review:

"First-time author Funk defines the term 'supergirl' as an over-achieving young woman with a compulsive need to be the best in all areas: school, extra-curricular activities, social networking and, of course, physical appearance. As she and her fellows are discovering, however, the pressure of such all-encompassing ambition can result in exhaustion, eating disorders, emotional problems and screwed up priorities. One of Funk's 100-plus interviewees bemoans that '"when you Google me, nothing comes up. I need to have Google prowess"'; for herself, Funk confesses her chagrin over publishing her first book (this one) at the age of 20 instead of 18. Though such a young writer can't possibly tackle the complex state of 21st century feminism without reading (at the least) precocious, freelance writer Funk has done her research, and her writing is lucid and intelligent. A good deal of unnecessary ranting could have been cut, and brand name fatigue sets in early (one hopes Funk is getting kickbacks from Starbucks). Still, Funk provides some fresh insights, especially for a younger audience brought up on The Devil Wears Prada and the myth of workplace gender equality, encouraging self-awareness, reasonable priorities, and a healthy outlook." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Liz Funk has written a smart, insightful and important book for every woman who thinks she has to do--and be--it all. Women of all ages will benefit from this highly readable, highly enjoyable read."-- Abby Ellin, author of Teenage Waistland: A Former Fat Kid Weighs in on Living Large, Losing Weight and How Parents Can (and Can't) Help

Review:

"Liz Funk's refreshing candor, rigorous research, and dynamic, accessible tone help carry her important message to the young women who need it most."-- Janice Erlbaum, author of Girlbomb and Have You Found Her?

Review:

"Too many young women feel enormous pressure to attain unrealistic standards of perfection in every area of their lives. The emotional toll is often damaging — and can be life-threatening. With Supergirls Speak Out, Liz Funk performs an invaluable service by examining this serious problem and exploring what we can do to help young women lead healthier, happier lives." — Leslie Bennetts, author of The Feminine Mistake: Are We Giving Up Too Much?

Table of Contents

chapter one The Supergirl Manifesto
Since When Is Being "Super" a Bad Thing?

chapter two "I'm So Old!"
Supergirls Achieve Early...But It's Never Enough

chapter three "I'm Really Not That Smart"
Supergirls Succeed in College and Beyond...by Working (and Playing) Twice as Hard as Anyone Else

chapter four "It's No Big Deal..."
Supergirls Succeed in the "Real" World and Make It All Look Effortless...Even When It's Not

chapter five "Do You Like My Hair?"
Supergirls Are Hot...at a Cost

chapter six "I'm Not Hungry, Really!"
Supergirls Are Skinny...by Any Means Necessary

chapter seven "She's Such a Bitch!"
Supergirls Can Be Competitive...Even with Our Best Friends

chapter eight "So, Do You Have a Boyfriend?"
Supergirls Should Be Sexy...and Always Have a Guy

chapter nine "My Mom's My Best Friend"
Supergirls Make Our Parents Proud...at Any Cost

chapter ten "I'm as Good as Any Guy...Right?"
Supergirls Believe in Equality...So Why Are We Afraid of the F-word (Feminist)?

chapter eleven "So What Should We Do About It?"
Finding the Good in the Supergirls Phenomenon

Suggested Reading Guide

Product Details

ISBN:
9781416562634
Subtitle:
Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls
Author:
Funk, Liz
Publisher:
Touchstone Books
Subject:
Young women
Subject:
Sex role
Subject:
General
Subject:
Women's Studies - General
Subject:
Popular Culture - General
Subject:
General Self-Help
Subject:
Personal Growth - General
Subject:
Success
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Publication Date:
March 2009
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
238
Dimensions:
8.40x5.58x.61 in. .51 lbs.

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