<P><B>A must-have guide to raising girls in the 21st century</B></P><P>Childhood, as a stage in human development, has been steadily eroded, as children today are introduced to 21st century adult values and behavior long before they are developmentally ready to cope with them. In this important polemic, Sue Palmer believes that if we don't get a grip on this problem soon, the increase in developmental disorders, behavioral difficulties, and mental health problems recorded by experts over recent decades will soon roll out of control. The challenges Sue discusses include parenting in an age of materialism, the way gender wars have intensified parenting problems, the debate about the "female brain," why contemporary culture can be so damaging for children, and the issues involved in detoxifying family life. Based on the latest global research, she gives parents the warm, strong guidance that girls need including how to give them the best start possible, how to support their development throughout the early years, how to deal with our highly sexualized and materialistic society, and how to make sure they grow up into confident and balanced women. Every parent, grandparent, teacher, and caregiver of girls needs to read this book.