Despite its clichéd title, this absorbing volume goes far beyond a superficial examination of the current dating scene for single women. It delves deeply into how dating and commitment differ from times past and the effects those changes are having on women and our culture. The author, whose previous book, The Divorce Culture, looked at a related social phenomenon, here makes a strong case for a phenomenon she calls the "Girl Project," a social "project" that has succeeded in preparing young women for adult lives of economic self-sufficiency, social independence, and sexual liberation, which began in 1972 when Title IX broke down major sex discrimination barriers and has had great success since then. Whitehead rightly argues that women today are operating in new social circumstances, in which they delay marriage until college—or, sometimes, graduate school—is finished and a career is established. This woman "embodies a new model of success based on educational and professional achievement," but, says Whitehead, the choices she makes in her 20s and 30s sometimes make finding a mate difficult. In exploring recent social changes that have made a strong and lasting impact, Whitehead highlights possible developments, such as online dating, that may replace traditional cultural systems. Her engaging cultural assessment, while not novel, sheds light on a current problem many women now face. Agents, Glen Hartley and Lynn Chu. (On sale Dec. 24)
Forecast:Whitehead's three-city author tour could help get the word out about this book; however, its misleading title might stunt sales.
