Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Under Pressure summary
Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls
17 mins
Brief summary
'Under Pressure' by Lisa Damour explains how the teenage girls in our lives are responding to the pressures of contemporary culture and discusses how best to engage with and support them. It provides valuable insights and helpful advice for parents, guardians, and educators.
Table of Contents
Under Pressure
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Depending on the circumstances, stress and anxiety are not always unhealthy.
Being a girl can be tough. Even in the twenty-first century, when many of the legal, social and political barriers to female advancement are being removed, girls are still under pressures that their male counterparts aren’t. And these pressures take their toll. Over the last few years, stress and anxiety among girls have skyrocketed. But before moving on to the real and damaging pressures that girls face, first, it’s crucial to understand that a little stress is not always a bad thing. In fact, it can be helpful.
For instance, psychological research has found that the stress caused by pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone can result in personal growth. We experience helpful stress when we undertake unfamiliar challenges, like speaking in front of a large group of people. These sorts of challenges help us build resilience so we can face future hardships with strength.
Similarly, experiencing some anxiety from time to time, characterized by feelings of dread, panic and fear, is not necessarily a cause for concern.
Why is this? Anxiety lets us know that something’s wrong. Sometimes this is an appropriate reaction. For instance, if a teenager expresses anxiety at the thought of an important upcoming exam, it may be because they haven’t revised enough yet. Ultimately, though, there is a tipping point at which stress and anxiety become unhealthy.
This is when anxiety negatively impacts one’s mental wellbeing. Importantly, this impact is determined less by the actual source of stress, and more determined by whether or not the individual has adequate emotional, financial or social resources available to tackle the issue.
For instance, breaking an arm could be a resilience-boosting source of stress for a girl who has friends to take notes in class for her. But what about a girl whose university hopes are riding on an athletic scholarship? Chances are, that same broken arm could severely interfere with her mental health.
When it comes to anxiety, we can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy levels by noticing if our alarm system is going off far too frequently. If this happens, we find ourselves constantly feeling panicked and fearful, and our thoughts race from one anxious thought to the next – will my teacher make me look stupid in front of my classmates? Will my ride home leave without me?
When our anxieties go into overdrive, it interferes with our sleep, happiness and concentration, and quickly becomes unhealthy.
Want to see all full key ideas from Under Pressure?
Key ideas in Under Pressure
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Under Pressure about?
Under Pressure (2019) explores the particular challenges that school-aged girls face throughout their education, at home and in society at large. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a clinical psychologist, Lisa Damour explains how parents, teachers and mentors can help girls overcome the stress and anxiety that disproportionately affects young women.
Under Pressure Review
Under Pressure (2019) by Lisa Damour offers a timely exploration of the challenges faced by today's teenagers and provides valuable insights for parents and educators. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With a wealth of research and expertise, the book demystifies the complex world of teen psychology, offering practical strategies for understanding and supporting adolescents.
- Through engaging case studies and real-life examples, Damour brings the book's concepts to life, making it relatable and applicable to everyday situations.
- The author's compassionate and non-judgmental approach to parenting and teaching ensures readers feel supported and empowered, keeping the book anything but boring.
Best quote from Under Pressure
Having parents who will work with, not against, their inborn traits, is crucial in helping children to adapt and thrive.
—Lisa Damour
Who should read Under Pressure?
- Parents hoping to brush up on their skills
- Feminists looking for fresh insights into female psychology
- Education professionals seeking to support female students
Categories with Under Pressure
Book summaries like Under Pressure
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Under Pressure FAQs
What is the main message of Under Pressure?
Under Pressure reveals the reality of teenage girls' emotional lives and provides practical guidance for supporting them.
How long does it take to read Under Pressure?
The reading time for Under Pressure varies. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Under Pressure a good book? Is it worth reading?
Under Pressure is a valuable read for understanding and supporting teenage girls. It offers insightful strategies and advice for parents, educators, and anyone wanting to make a positive impact.
Who is the author of Under Pressure?
Lisa Damour is the author of Under Pressure.
What to read after Under Pressure?
If you're wondering what to read next after Under Pressure, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Dear Girls by Ali Wong
- Untangled by Lisa Damour
- Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- Radical Compassion by Tara Brach
- The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
- Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
- The Art of War (new version) by Sun Tzu
- Stop Self-Sabotage by Dr. Judy Ho
- The Education of Millionaires by Michael Ellsberg