We live in a patriarchal world where women view themselves through the scripted lens of imperfection. Contemporary social media intensifies this message. Girls are bombarded with unnatural presentations of beauty, which they are told they will never achieve. Current research into the impact of social media, specifically Instagram and Tik Tok reveals its relationship to eating disorders and to other adolescent mental health identity issues.

Transforming the perception of female identity in modern western society will require a deep cultural facelift as well as a celebration of that transformation.

This book draws attention to the patriarchal mandates placed upon women during the 1960s. The author explores the combined impact which media and maternal influences had upon her adolescent identity development inclusive of anorexia. This volume includes two distinct parts: Part 1 (“She Speaks”) the author’s pre-adolescent memoir, and Part 2 (“They Speak”) an exploration of historical, psychological, and social identity influencers as well as an arts-based workshop designed to empower adolescent girls. You the reader, may choose to first immerse yourself in the narrative (Part 1) or to stand back and get an overview (Part 2), prior to that immersion.