In 1990, an American Association of American Women survey found that the self-esteem of young girls plummets during adolescence. A year later, journalist PEGGY ORENSTEIN was commissioned to do a follow-up study to this survey, which resulted in her new book, "SchoolGirls: Young Women, Self-Esteem, and the Confidence Gap" (Doubleday). ORENSTEIN talked to girls in two junior high schools, and examined some of the factors that influnced their feelings about themselves, including schooling, family, and class.
Copyright 1994 Fresh Air
