Liebau's book is for anyone who cares about what is going on in American culture -- parent or not. It is extremely well-written, well-researched, and filled with important information about how American culture is shaping the lives of young women in the modern age. The book's premise -- that our culture's oversexualization has caused young women to believe that sexiness trumps intelligence and character -- may not seem at first to be a revolutionary one. But I suspect that most people over the age of 18 will be astonished to read this book's detailed presentation of the unique challenges faced by young women today. As a parent, the book is invaluable. For anyone who cares about what is going on in American culture, it is equally important. "Prude" is a very satisfying and enlightening book. Given the topic, it is also surprisingly entertaining.

It's about time someone addressed the out of control teen sexual issue. As an elementary teacher I hear little girls and boys talk about sex and it break my heart. If I could afford it, I would pass out a copy of this book to every parent in my classroom. It is a must read for everyone, not just parents of young girls.

Most adults have noticed that things have changed since we were kids, but this book shows us how these changes came about and how they are damaging our kids and our culture. The "anything goes" mentality that pervades pop culture hurts kids' self-esteem and leads them down paths they will later regret. The research and writing in this book are impressive, and although much of the news is grim, it shows parents specific, direct things they can do to help their kids through the mire they're faced with every day.

An excellent albeit frightening book. Should be read by every parent of a teen age, or soon to be teen age girl.Prude: How the Sex-Obsessed Culture Damages Girls (and America, Too!)

"Prude" is a great book for parents. I must say that my eyes were opened to some things I wasn't aware of, and knowledge is power, right? I would say, however, that if you have teenagers in your home, be careful about letting them read this book. It may give them new ideas of ways to be bad, or they may find the author's explicitness titillating. I did think she took some of her ideas a bit too far, but then perhaps I've just been tainted by our wicked society.
If you consider yourself "conservative" and wish our society would reign back a bit, you will probably appreciate the author's point of view. She demonstrates how our society has become overly sexualized, but also gives us hope that the pendulum may be starting to swing the other way. Overall, very beneficial, especially for parents.

As a political liberal, I detest a great deal of what Carol Platt Liebau stands for, but I am in substantial agreement with her on the subject of this book.

In writing Prude, I think she must have struggled to keep under control her views of liberals, views that I find to be strange, but she did not entirely succeed, so here and there are unnecessary and gratuitous insults, ascribing to liberals views that are certainly not mine.

That detracts considerably from the book, but sticking strictly to the subject at hand, I agree with almost all of what she writes.

I wish she had left out religious considerations. There is no agreement there, and it is not necessary to appeal to religion to build a powerful case supporting the main theses of the book.

Readers should be forewarned that Ms. Liebau's book goes into fairly graphic detail about sexuality that some people will likely find distasteful; I agree with one of the other reviewers who found such level of explicitness a bit voyeuristic. However, I can understand why she chose to do so. Most parents have a general sense that modern pop culture is hypersexualized, but they may be shocked at just how bad things have gotten for today's 'tweens and teens.

For example, I was aware that the "Gossip Girl" series of young adult books were sleazy but I had no idea until reading Ms. Liebau's book the extent to which it glorifies utterly appalling behavior. I also was unaware that "Seventeen" magazine, which I remember as being fairly tame in the early '90's when I had a subscription, had become so risque.

Chapter 8 of Ms. Liebau's book "Paying the Piper: The Toll on Young Girls and the Cost to America" detailing the risks of teen sex should be required reading for every teen and his/her parents. It is extremely well-researched and shatters the myth of so-called "safe sex" for minors.

Unfortunately, I suspect that like Wendy Shalit and others, Ms. Liebau will be "preaching to the choir" and that those most in need of hearing her message, won't. Highly recommended!

Never in my short life have I been so disgusted and shocked!!! Never before have I relized that I and everyone I love or care about, is being marketed to by FOUL and CORRUPT Corroporations. If you Have a daughter,neice,sister,or friend that is around the age of 17 or 18 Buy this book for them if not for your self. This book presents you with HARD BITTER truths about America and the times we live in. I say this kept me hitting the pages long after bed time , with its haunting details about our society and it's toxic effect on Young girls in our society....

This book was interesting. It really explained in detail how our sex-obsessed culture is slowly but surely destroying everyone, not just girls.

If you don't believe that teens having sex is a big deal, then how about girls as young as 11 getting birth control?

If oral sex is not that huge, then how about girls 11 and younger are doing it under beds and at parties?

If this information surprises you, then you will be shocked about what else is mentioned in the book.

If you want to try and stop what is happening to young girls (and boys) and stop these girls from growing up into a society that is even worse then this one is now, then you need to read this book, or give it to someone who does not believe what you say when you have read it.