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Pipher, Mary. //Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls//. New York: Ballantine Books, 1994. Print.

Mary Pipher holds a Ph. D and is a clinical psychologist. She is also a noted author, who has written many books on how culture shapes mental health. The work informs individuals of the many issues facing and damaging the mental health of teenage girls in today’s world. Pipher presents information in a way that allows a lay person audience to understand the work as well as those well-versed in the field.

Pipher argues throughout the book that it is the modern American culture that damages the modern adolescent girls’ attitude. Pipher explores the theoretical issues, developmental issues, the roles of family and individual family members, and the impact of divorce that shape mental health in adolescent girls. She then explores the consequences- eating disorders, depression, drugs and alcohol, and sex and violence. She also explores the changes in culture over time.

Pipher provides evidence for her arguments from specific case studies. Many of the cases are from personal experience- cases she has seen in her own office. In addition, she cites numerous statistics to underline her point- for example, the heights and weights of current and past Miss Sweden winners. As time has gone on, these winners have been taller and thinner. She uses this as an example of statistics for body image and how culture, especially media, impacts it.

The work is very clear and has much research to support the assertions, especially in the forms of case studies and statistics. Pipher sufficiently covers the topic, tracing it from issues, to consequences, to possible resolutions. In addition, Pipher seems very objective in her findings, as many cases were based on patients. She has sought to find as many issues as possible and address them in her work.

From this source, I learned about the role of the media on body image. Evidence provided that could be helpful in my research include eating disorder statistics and case studies present in the text. This source helped me develop my argument by providing necessary research to support my assertion.