Gilbert connects the rise of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to media influences, emphasizing the pressure women face to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

Sophie Gilbert, a staff writer at The Atlantic, explores the fraught state of modern womanhood in her new book, 'Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned A Generation of Women Against Themselves', which is set to be released on April 29, 2025.

In her book, Gilbert critiques the resurgence of patriarchal values in the 21st century, arguing that pop culture has negatively impacted women's self-image and identity.

She highlights a shift from the feminist activism of the 1990s, represented by riot grrrls, to the commercialization of girl power exemplified by the Spice Girls, which prioritized male pleasure.

The book discusses the pervasive scrutiny of women's bodies across various media in the 2000s, illustrating how this scrutiny has contributed to damaging narratives around self-objectification and conformity.

Gilbert examines how various entertainment genres, including music, film, and fashion, send damaging messages to women about self-worth and identity, reflecting a decline from the empowering messages of the 1990s.

The book also highlights the harsh public scrutiny faced by female celebrities like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, illustrating broader societal disdain for women during the 2000s.

She contends that after significant advances for women's rights, modern media is promoting narratives that confine women to traditional roles rather than encouraging leadership positions.

She critiques how women's objectification has been framed as empowerment, leading to a generation believing that sex was their currency and objectification a source of strength.

Gilbert meticulously connects the backlash against feminist movements to the rise of incel culture and the popularity of trends like stay-at-home girlfriends on social media platforms.

Despite these critiques, Gilbert offers a sense of hope, suggesting that contemporary culture is counteracting harmful political actions against marginalized groups, including women and trans people.

Ultimately, Gilbert aims to provide a critical lens through which to assess contemporary culture, encouraging readers to recognize and understand the pervasive assumptions that shape their views.