About this Book

Riding the wave of a booming girl culture worldwide, this collection of girls' voices from across the globe invites the reader to learn more about their varied girlhoods. From coming-of-age rituals in South Africa to the impact of computers and popular magazines on girls in Japan and Germany, the book offers a vision of girlhood from around the world. Though a universal experience, girlhood is not always carefree. Instead, as this book documents, many girls are not valued for who they are, whether culturally, socially or intellectually.