Larry A. Morris

Dangerous Women: Why Mothers, Daughters, and Sisters Become Stalkers, Molesters, and Murderers was supposed to be an insightful book into the minds of deranged female criminals. Alas it was not.

The first three women profiled were Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears, which do not fall into the category of stalkers, molesters, or murderers. That's not to say they are saints, but definitely not the caliber of the rest of the women in the book. Plus, if I wanted to hear about their sordid lives, I would have read a sleazy tabloid or watched E! The author tries to make the argument that these women are dangerous because they are “oversexed, under-dressed” celebrities that young girls look up to. First of all, I can produce a huge laundry list of similar celebrities. Second of all, the “danger” that these women pose isn't within them, but an inherent part of our society that needs to be changed. These women were never mentioned again in the book or cited as the cause for any crimes.

The author makes outrageous and enraging points at times. He tries to make the case that aggression in young boys is typical, and therefore acceptable, but aggression in young girls is outrageous and dangerous. He states that women being sexual “flies in the face of all we think we know about our mothers, sisters, and other women.” He poses this question: “If an adult molests a child, who is responsible? Who needs protection?” I think this is completely outrageous and insulting to imply that the molestation might be the fault of the child. Throughout the book, there was a generally misogynistic tone with occasionally derogatory language. These are only a few grievances I have with this book.

This book angered me and insulted me. It was still an interesting read in that I got to see an opinion different than mine. Other books that are similar include See Jane Hit by James Garbarino.… (meer)