You've come a long way, baby: women, politics, and popular culture

No matter what brand of feminism one may subscribe to, one thing is indisputable: the role of women in society during the past several decades has changed dramatically, and continues to change in a variety of ways.

With Hillary Clinton's recent bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, and with Sarah Palin's selection as the Republican vice presidential nominee, it is more apparent than ever that women are attaining a new political and cultural prominence. ""You've Come a Long Way, Baby"" explores that past, present, and future of women in the realms of politics, the arts, and popular culture.

Addressing a range of gender-related issues, the essays in ""You've Come a Long Way, Baby"" investigate modern motherhood and its implications for female independence, the so-called chick flick as a film genre, and the evolution of women's magazines from ""Ladies' Home Journal"" to ""Cosmopolitan"".

Contributors also explore recent trends such as the chick lit phenomenon Gossip Girl and reality television makeover programs such as ""The Swan"" and their influence on the female body image.

Together these essays reveal the remarkable advancement achieved by American women in a historically patriarchal social and political landscape, while examining where women stand today and contemplating the future challenges they face worldwide.

As comprehensive as it is accessible, ""You've Come a Long Way, Baby"" is a practical guide to understanding modern gender roles.

By using an open approach rather than adhering to a single, narrow theory, Goren appeals not only to students of gender studies but to anyone interested in confronting the struggles and celebrating the achievements of women in modern society.