Reviving Ophelia

For the film, see Reviving Ophelia (film).
Reviving Ophelia
Author Mary Pipher
Subject Adolescence
Published 1994
ISBN 978-0-345-39282-4
OCLC 670317168

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls is a 1994 book written by Dr. Mary Pipher. This book takes a look at the effects of societal pressures on American adolescent girls, and utilizes many case studies from the author's experience as a therapist.[1] The book has been described as a "call to arms" and highlights the increased levels of sexism and violence that affect young females. Pipher asserts that whilst the feminist movement has aided adult women to become empowered, teenagers have been neglected and require intensive support due to their undeveloped maturity.[2]

A television film of the same name, featuring Nick Thurston and Rebecca Williams, aired on the Lifetime network.[3]

Summary and case studies

Reviving Ophelia is divided into sections according to theme and the summary on this page is organized similarly (the numerals in parentheses following the girls' names represent the age of the individuals).

Introduction

This section introduces Pipher's theory that a great, and often negative, change influences girls during adolescence.

Families

This section analyzes the role of families in the development of adolescent girls.

Mothers

This section focuses specifically on mother-daughter relationships during adolescence.

Fathers

This section focuses on relationships between fathers and their adolescent daughters.

Divorce

The section of the book focuses on the effect that the parents' divorce can have on their adolescent daughters.

Depression

This section analyzes the onset of depression during the adolescence of girls.

Self-mutilation

This section focuses on cases where, in their depression, adolescent girls turned to self-mutilation.

Eating disorders

This section focuses on eating disorders and the issues they arise from. Also, the expectation of beauty for American women is examined.

Drugs and alcohol

This section focuses on the culture of substance use and its effect of adolescent girls.

Sex

This section focuses on the effect of sex and gender roles on the lives of adolescent girls.

Sexual violence

This section focuses on the effect of sexual violence on the lives of adolescent girls and their families.

What I've learned from listening

This section summarizes Pipher's case studies and conclusions she has drawn from her professional experiences.

Critical and public reception

Reviving Ophelia was first published in 1994 and was well received by the public, evidenced by a three-year stretch on the The New York Times Best Seller list, including a period in the top rank.[4] The book also received positive reviews.[5][6]

However, studies, such as The Gender Similarities Hypothesis, challenge the assertion that the self-esteem of girls is more significantly reduced at the beginning of adolescence than for boys.[7]

Related works

The Lifetime movie Reviving Ophelia is based on the book.[8]

Reviving Ophelia has influenced other works, including Surviving Ophelia by Cheryl Dellasega, Ophelia's Mom by Nina Shandler and Ophelia Speaks: Adolescent Girls Write about Their Search for Self.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Pipher, Mary (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. Random House, Inc. ISBN 0-345-39282-5.
  2. "Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls". Google Books. Google. 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  3. Erin Andersen (9 October 2010). "Movie of 'Reviving Ophelia' looks at struggles of today's teen girls". The Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  4. "Paperback Best Sellers: June 15, 1997". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. Bekanich, Mary M. (30 June 1995). "Reviving Ophelia: A Book Review". Hera: 6.
  6. Bartholomew, Cheryl. "Mary Pipher, Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls". Women and Language 19 (2): 53.
  7. Hyde, Janet Shibley (1 January 2005). "The Gender Similarities Hypothesis.". American Psychologist 60 (6): 581–592. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.60.6.581.
  8. "Reviving Ophelia Movie - Official Site - MyLifetime.com". Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  9. Gonick, M. (2006). "Between "Girl Power" and "Reviving Ophelia": Constituting the Neoliberal Girl Subject". NWSA Journal 18 (2): 1–23. doi:10.1353/nwsa.2006.0031.
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