scholastic_squid's review
4.0
Oh, the raunch culture.
I wish I had found this book years ago when I was entering college because this screams all of the confusion and struggles I was having at the time. Others were struggling as well and some still are to this day.
Ariel writes with curiosity, facts, and plenty of personalized stories of interviewees. Although at the time it appeared feminism or women's rights were struggling because our views and opinions were jumbled, it looks like women are stepping up with a better understanding of their bodies and minds.
The persons she interviewed ranged from women to men to transgendered to gender fluid, etc and they all had different backgrounds and upbringings. You were able to grasp their concerns and wants while still understanding some of the why they believed they needed to strive towards being one-of-the-guys ---- whomever this mysterious guy some women want to be like actually is?
Education is important to help discern the differences between lust and consurmerism, safe sex and abstinence, being yourself and the consumerized sex symbol.
Even if you are religious and believe in abstinence and are pro-life, or if you are a empowered female pro-choicer read the book.
It is incredibly helpful to understand others and why they differ from you.
I wish I had found this book years ago when I was entering college because this screams all of the confusion and struggles I was having at the time. Others were struggling as well and some still are to this day.
Ariel writes with curiosity, facts, and plenty of personalized stories of interviewees. Although at the time it appeared feminism or women's rights were struggling because our views and opinions were jumbled, it looks like women are stepping up with a better understanding of their bodies and minds.
The persons she interviewed ranged from women to men to transgendered to gender fluid, etc and they all had different backgrounds and upbringings. You were able to grasp their concerns and wants while still understanding some of the why they believed they needed to strive towards being one-of-the-guys ---- whomever this mysterious guy some women want to be like actually is?
Education is important to help discern the differences between lust and consurmerism, safe sex and abstinence, being yourself and the consumerized sex symbol.
Even if you are religious and believe in abstinence and are pro-life, or if you are a empowered female pro-choicer read the book.
It is incredibly helpful to understand others and why they differ from you.
stronlibrarianvibes's review
5.0
This book is great for anyone concerned with the oversexualization of young women. Rather than empower them, Levy argues that because women have simply co-opted the male gaze uncriticially, they are playing into the hand of the patriarchy. I don't always buy parts of her argument, but her overall logic is sensible.
wanders's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could've read when it came out, would've saved me some FCP wannabe angst. Not a comprehensive view on subject but fun to read, feels like speaks to East Coast white perspective.
Also fuck Jimmy Kimmel.
Also fuck Jimmy Kimmel.
serenaserafin's review
4.0
For the most part great book. Levy was able to put many of my thoughts into words. Would recommend.
alishaduh's review against another edition
3.0
Very valid points but the subtle TERF comments and the blaming of the women rather than the society let this down. Still, it has important things to say and Id recommend giving it a read.
sandraandthecity's review
4.0
We've come a long way in the ten years since this was published, but it's still a good book, and definitely worth a read. A lot to think about here. We are so sure about "how far we've come" as women, but this book puts that idea into question. Have we? After reading this, I'm not so sure anymore. I think I sit somewhere in the middle between castigating sexual aggressiveness and seeing progression in this raunch culture. It's a fine balance.
radioisasoundsalvation's review
4.0
This book isn't blaming anyone for the direction of raunch culture, it's reminding us of our responsibility to not only think of the next generation of women, but to think of the consequences and truths behind our "quests for power and equality." To be a powerful woman does not necessitate flashing a camera team for a t-shirt!
kera88's review
4.0
Interesting points where made in this book, some points she tried to prove failed by coming across "femal chauvinist pigs" that intelligently stated their point of view. Otherwise this book is a quick and interesting read, Ariel Levy does not solve or give necessarily steps to solving the problem but does state the issue with women's lack of pride in being a female.
I would have liked her to go into more detail on who she is, how she developed such strong believes other then the obvious fact that she is female.
I would have liked her to go into more detail on who she is, how she developed such strong believes other then the obvious fact that she is female.