Do you consider yourself a “girlie girl”? Late last month, journalist Peggy Orenstein published a new book called “Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture.”
I suppose I should define exactly what I mean when I talk about this girlie-girl culture! If you think of a “girlie-girl,” what comes to mind? A princess outfit, some makeup, shades of pink, shopping in the mall? It is important that we remember that none of these are negative qualities, though! They do have the potential, however, to influence girls as they grow up.
There is a lot of emphasis on appearance and what girls look like in this culture. There is much more to women and girls, however, than what they look like, which we all know! 
You are all beautiful but also, and perhaps more importantly, talented and smart and can do anything you want to do with confidence and hard work! Orenstein’s goal was to write about what all of these “girlie-girl” interests could mean for young girls’ identities and their futures.
Her inspiration for the book was her own beautiful and talented daughter, Daisy. When Daisy was 3 years old, she loved trains. Peggy was excited about her daughter’s chosen interest – she thought that maybe it would be easier if she could avoid “girlie-girl” culture all together. Once Daisy got to school, however, all it took was one boy who yelled “girls don’t like trains!” across the playground to make Daisy beg her mother for a princess outfit.
Peggy Orenstein was unsure about how this would impact her daughter. So, in her new book, she looks for the answers. She looked at the images and ideas girls were absorbing about “who they should be, what they should buy, and what made them girls?”
I bought this book on my e-reader a few hours ago and I plan to start reading it tonight. I’ll write back in a couple of weeks with a more detailed description!
What do you think about the effect of “girlie-girl” culture on young women today? Is it okay to be a “girlie-girl” as long as that’s who you want to be – not who you feel you have to be?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Kristen
New Moon Intern
