Reviving Ophelia

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Reviving Ophelia
Reviving Ophelia (book).jpg
Author Mary Pipher
Subject Adolescence
Published1994
ISBN 978-0-345-39282-4
OCLC 670317168

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls is a 1994 book written by Mary Pipher. This book examines 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]

Contents

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

Reviving Ophelia 25th Anniversary Edition: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls is a revised and updated book co-written with Dr. Pipher's daughter Sara Gilliam.

Summary and case studies

Reviving Ophelia is divided into sections by theme.

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.

Pipher claims that women who rejected conformity during adolescence are the ones who end up finding a protected space in adulthood. Through it they could "develop their uniqueness" (266).

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-harm.

Eating disorders

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

Drugs and alcohol

This section focuses on the culture of substance abuse 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 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]

The Lifetime movie Reviving Ophelia is based on the book. [8] The film, which was produced by Muse Entertainment and shot in Toronto, received two[ citation needed ] Canadian Gemini Award nominations: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series (Rebecca Williams) [9] and Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series (Teena Booth).[ citation needed ] It has also received a nomination for the Humanitas Prize (Teena Booth). [10]

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 . [11]

A story arc in the 2023 film Barbie was inspired by Reviving Ophelia. [12]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Pipher, Mary (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. Random House, Inc. ISBN   978-0-345-39282-4.
  2. Pipher, Mary (2011). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. Penguin. ISBN   9781101077764 . 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. 1997-06-15. 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. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.374.1723 . doi:10.1037/0003-066X.60.6.581. PMID   16173891.
  8. "Reviving Ophelia Movie - Official Site". Lifetime (TV Network). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  9. "Gemini Awards (2011)". IMDb . Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  10. "Humanitas Prize (2011)". IMDb . Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  11. 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. S2CID   1964169.
  12. Aguirre, Abby (May 24, 2023). "Barbiemania! Margot Robbie Opens Up About the Movie Everyone's Waiting For". Vogue . Retrieved May 26, 2023.