Book Review – Bringing Up Girls by Dr James Dobson
Summary
Today, there is no question that raising girls has taken a different twist. In fact, raising a morally upright girl today is more than a challenge for parents and society. In this book, Dr. James Dobson gives us an ultimate journey to nurturing girls and helping them to transition smoothly from just mere ‘girls’ to responsible, confident, and strong ladies and mothers in the future. Specifically, Dr. Dobson analyzes how things like academic pressures, sex, and romance, eating and lifestyle disorders, peer pressure, as well as the internet, social media, and technology are troubling young girls.
Throughout the book, the author tries to challenge his readers by asking them how well they are helping their daughters to transition from the toddling age, through the turbulent biological and psychological changes that come with adolescence, up to the point they become mothers, hardworking employees, responsible wives, and law-abiding citizens (Dodson, 2012). Choices such as whether to pursue higher education or not are likely going to put them in a better position to secure better jobs and command higher salaries.
Concrete Responses
Admittedly, I think approximately 90 percent of what Dr. Dodson has mentioned in his book has touched on my life or impacted me in one way or the other. In fact, most of his sentiments and stories seem to clearly reflect my upbringing. At some point, I almost thought that, while writing this book, my mother snitched on our bringing to Dr. Dodson. For example, a majority of the author’s sentiments in “Teaching Girls to Be Ladies” are a direct replica of what my mother used to tell me and my two siblings. Dodson’s (2012) assertion that “girls should be taught how to eat, talk, walk, dress, converse on the telephone, and respond to adults with respect and poise” reminds me of what exactly my mother used to tell us.
In fact, at times, we received a whooping for failing to use words she described as the basics of “courtesy and etiquette,” such as thank you, may I please, I appreciate, excuse me, please let me, will you mind, and so on. I was once smacked on the face for failing to say “thank you” after getting a new Christmas dress. I am truly forever grateful to my mother for inculcating these very elementary morals in us, even though we did not find them valuable at the time. I will definitely pass these invaluable little secrets to my daughters in the future.
Reflection
I strongly agree – in fact, I did not see anything I could discredit or discount in the book – with Dr. Dodson’s commentary on “Girls and Their Mothers.” Just like the author narrates how Marlene cleverly handled her daughter’s bluff of wanting a new mother, every mother must take precautions by choosing the right words and approach to parenting. I particularly agree with the statement that despite the stressful situations that mothers encounter at the hands of their daughters, it is very critical that the two maintain an emotional connection. Dodson specifically mentions that “despite these stressful times for mothers and daughters, staying in touch with each child emotionally should be a matter of highest priority (2012, p. 109). This is because the failures and successes of girls, particularly in their later endeavors, are often strongly determined by the quality of the relationships they share with their parents (especially mothers and grandmothers) during early developmental stages.
I feel that this is a strong point and indeed very true because it is often very easy to find women behaving or even cooking the way their mothers or grandmothers used to cook or dress when raising them. In my opinion, this resonates well with the adage “Like Mother like Daughter.” They are also more likely to pass this down to their daughters and granddaughters in the future.
Application
This book, without a doubt, is a life lesson in itself and seems to apply to every stage of a woman’s development. In truth, I think this book is an important resource that can help all young ladies transition to independent career women, law-abiding citizens, respectful and obedient wives, good and considerate but tough mothers, and role models to other young girls in the future. In fact, I believe this book has taught me critical lessons that will make a great impact on my future life. For example, Dr. Dodson has taught me why it is sometimes very crucial to make certain decisions in life – some of which might affect even my future. For example, I know at some point, I will be faced with dilemmas that will require me to make huge but informed decisions, such as choosing to further my career first or having children.
Most importantly, the book can shape the career of any individual wishing to help other young ladies – those often facing the turbulence of adolescence and the curse of early pregnancy, drug abuse, prostitution, school dropout, and early marriage – become great mothers, wives, and leaders that drive our economy. I will personally find this piece a critical resource when nurturing my daughters in the future, especially to help them become ladies.
References
Dobson, J. C. (2012). Bringing up girls. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House
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Question 
Book Review – Bringing Up Girls by Dr James Dobson
The 4-MAT BOOK REVIEW system is a way of responding to readings that requires the learner to interact with new ideas on several levels. Please use the following format in preparing 4-MAT BOOK REVIEWS:
1. Summary: Summarize what you have read as if you were the author, boiling down the book into 150 to 200 tight words. Prove that you comprehend the readings by writing a no-nonsense summary.
2. Concrete responses: Get vulnerable! In 200 to 250 words, relate a personal life episode that this book connected to your own life experience. Relate your story in first person, describing an action, quoting sentences you remember hearing or saying. In Jesus’ teaching style, this is a do-it-yourself parable, case study, confession. You will remember almost nothing you have read unless you make this critical, personal connection. What video memory began to roll? This is your chance to tell your story and make new ideas found in the book your own.
3. Reflection: Please consider the content of the reading assignment and include any further questions the material brings to mind. Keep a rough note sheet at hand as you read. Begin with questions like, “What would I like further information on?” Where do I not agree/strongly agree with the author?” or “What bothers me/excites me about this content?” This section should be at least 200 to 250 words.
4. Application: How does the information book influence how you are going to continue your own personal growth process? What actions or changes are you going to make in your life as a result of your learning? Your response here is a matter of obedience first and questions later. Be precise in summarizing your action steps (limit these comments to about 150 to 200 words).
The book to review is Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson