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(More customer reviews)I think the title of Dr. Robyn Silverman's book (Good Girls Don't Get Fat) really says it all. We've trained our girls to think they are bad or less of a person if they are fat. Whether it's through magazines, television, the internet or ironically, the people who are supposed to love these girls the most (parents, siblings, "friends," and teachers - yes teachers!!), girls are beginning to worry about their weight at younger and younger ages. While talk radio programs air news stories weekly extolling the dangers of obesity (which is, of course, also an important health issue), Dr. Silverman sees countless girls in her practice with only minor weight problems or none at all. However, these girls have convinced themselves they are fat and therefore "bad."
The book provides excellent information of how aspects of a young girl's life can send her the message of to be thin is to be happy, healthy, loved. The author takes the discussion from the "inside out" starting with what a girl thinks about her weight in her own head and continuing to cover how the various relationships in her life can exacerbate the issues. Including how powerful words can be in these various relationships (mother, father, step-parents if applicable, other family members, teachers and other adults).
Dr. Silverman uses a lot of tools, tips and worksheets throughout the book and are an excellent supplement to the information. Readers get examples of weight issues that may arise with girls and can read "Say What" boxes to give guidance on "what not to say" and "what to say" -- (dads take note of that please). "Overheard" boxes appear throughout the chapters as well which share stories and quotes from girls she interviewed. A tip list appears at the end of every chapter and are specific as to the information in the chapter. For example, the chapter for dads ends with tips for dads on how to nurture the relationship with their daughter so it has a positive impact on her self-worth.
Of course, I was particularly interested in the chapter about dads titled, "Father Figure: Daddy's Not-So-Little Girl." Dads play a huge role in whether their daughters have a positive or negative self-image. This chapter was eye-opening, especially in regards to some of the "Overheard" sections. I cringed when I read some of the horribly insensitive things some dads would say to their daughters, thinking they're being funny or a joker. I would like to think most dads would want to take back those words or avoid saying them altogether, especially knowing the price those jokes can have on a girl's self-image. Like I mentioned above, the chapter ends with some really useful tips and things to remember. The chapter also ended with a BIQ (The Body Image Quotient), a quiz to gauge how your daughter is doing in a world so focused on thinness at all costs. These appear in many of the chapters and in Chapter 8 you get to tabulate your daughter's score. Very interesting and a really good way to assess how things are going.
In the book's introduction, Dr. Silverman concludes with this: "I hope and pray that one day, when my daughter stares into the mirror and asks, "Am I acceptable the way I am?" she will confidently say yes. But I know that the real triumph will come when girls of all sizes and every age don't even have to ask. They'll just know." Reading that early on in the book got me thinking about what a great gift that would be and how crucial my role as a father plays into that happening. As a father to a 20-month-old girl, this just may be the most important book I've read since becoming a parent. Do something special for the girls in your life and read this book.
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Based on Dr. Robyn Silverman's groundbreaking research at Tufts University, and filled with searingly honest young voices, Good Girls Don't Get Fat:– Decodes the ripple effects of actions that damage our girls-and provides tools to help stop them.– Shines light on the positive influence of women who embrace body types of any size-and explains how to model the right behavior.– Shows how girls, whatever their size, can own their strengths, trust their power and accomplish amazing things.
