Chapter 10, Drugs and Alcohol - If Ophelia Were Alive Today Summary and Analysis

In this chapter, Dr. Pipher talks about adolescent girls struggling with drug and alcohol issues. Tracy is a thirteen-year-old girl who is expelled from school after the principal finds a bottle of alcohol in her book bag. Tracy's parents both come from alcoholic homes, and they worry that Tracy might be at risk. They are strict and overprotective to the extent that Tracy has no privacy and no personal space to call her own. Dr. Pipher explains that Tracy's parents are relying on rules to keep their daughter safe, but rules in the absence of loving relationships simply inspire rebellion in adolescents. Dr. Pipher works with Tracy to help her find other activities in which to channel her energy and frustration. She also...