Journalist/feminist Paula Kamen traveled all over the country to interview people about that elusive word "feminism" and what it meant to people her age (the "twentysomething" generation); to the great relief of at least some of us, she encountered serious activism, practicality, and even some embrace of that dreaded f-word. To those people, this book is an inspiration. The informality and ease with which Kamen mixes with diverse people make the book an easy, pleasant read.

Intelligently and objectively--and with considerable wit and in a fun and playful manner-- presents the sexual choices women have and the positives and negatives of each. No choice is without its merits and adverse side effects; and these may change as the person grows older. In a nonsensationalistic way, the author covers many segments of our society and compares and contrasts the viewpoints and perspectives of each. She relates her own work with those of others, including those of noted scholars. Her mission is to educate and enable the reader to make choices customized for each individual. One size does NOT fit all.

"Her Way" is must read for women and men!

In "Her Way," Paula Kamen shows how women are rewriting the sexual script, both the traditional one and the one edited by their mothers in the sexual revolution. She assesses her interviews with a wide variety of young women in the context of a sexual culture that has become increasingly diverse. She finds that more women are making decisions about sexual activity based on their own needs, not those of any man or of sexual prescriptions from others. The women do not follow any single new script. Kamen finds, for example, that religion frames some women's choices about sex, while others set out to break away from the sexual rules they were taught as girls. She concludes, however, that while women have a greater say in their sex lives, they are not yet equal partners in a conversation about sex with men. Bisexual and lesbian women fare better, but they too must live in a sexual culture that caters to the heterosexual man.
Still, she is optimistic because the process of change is ongoing.
Kamen's fluid writing style is a pleasure to read. Anyone who is, knows, teaches, or parents a young woman should check "Her Way" out.