Girl Power

Girl Power: Girls Reinventing Girlhood examines the identity practices of girls who have grown up in the context of girl power culture. The book asks whether and which girls have benefited from this feminist-inspired movement. Can girls truly become anything they want, as suggested by those who claim that the traditional mandate of femininity compliance to male interests is a thing of the past? To address such questions, the authors distinguish between girlhood as a cultural ideal, and girls as the embodied agents through which girlhood becomes a social accomplishment. The book identifies significant issues for parents and teachers of girls, and offers suggestions for critical social literacy as a classroom practice that recognizes the ways popular culture mediates young peoples understanding of gender. Girl Power will be of interest to researchers of contemporary gender identities, as well as educational professionals and adult girl advocates. It is relevant for students in gender studies and teacher-education courses, as well as graduate student researchers.