Wonderly, Donald M. The Quest for a Female Identity

Adolescence, Spring, 2004

WONDERLY, Donald M. The Quest for a Female Identity. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2003. 396pp. $50.00 (p).

Among the myriad of disasters that humans have brought on themselves, the male predilection for denigrating females seems most counterproductive. Women, with the potential for providing affection, emotional support, and rhapsodic sexual delight to the men for whom they care, are routinely relegated to second class status by a longstanding practice that debases men and women both. And what effect do phallocentric and polygynous demand have on the women involved? Radical feminists are livid, harassed females are fearful, and governmental, religious, and private agencies are unable to effectively ameliorate the problem. The Quest for a Female Identity initiative, and its high school version, Journeys, a Girl's Roadmap Through Adolescence, are primary-prevention programs. They are designed for those "Cinderellas" who seek to develop the habit of self-discipline, and are willing to accept personal responsibility for their conduct. Meanwhile, astute feminists and discerning men are encouraged to reconsider their aggressive attacks on each other and to support young women who are anxious to direct their life goals more propitiously.