Peggy Orenstein (born November 22, 1961) is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Girls & Sex, Cinderella Ate My Daughter and Waiting for Daisy, a memoir.

A contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine,^[1] in 2012 she was named by The Columbia Journalism Review as one of its "40 Women Who Changed the Media Business in the Past 40 Years".^[2]

Peggy Orenstein's ideas revolve around the discrepancy between men and women's sexuality. For example, in an interview with 70 women between 15 and 20, she found that the young women were expected to please their sexual partners but did not expect it to be reciprocated.^[3] Orenstein feels that the best to address this discrepancy would be for parents to be more open to discussing sexuality with their daughters and teaching them to not feel embarrassed about it. Orenstein also discusses how the idea of sexual promiscuity for women is a double edged sword. Such as, if a young woman were to have sex she would be considered a slut, but if she didn't have sex then she was considered a prude. Orenstein states that this idea devalues the idea of sexual health in young woman, and encourages them to walk a fine line between “slut” and “prude.” Orenstein also states that this idea of sexual promiscuity also devalues gay girls and that it would be best to broaden the definition of virginity to include multiple stages, as to not devalue those who haven't haven't lost their virginity by cultural standards.^[3]

Orenstein has been named by the Columbia Journalism Review ^[17] "40 women who changed the media business in the past 40 years."^[4]

She has also been recognized by the "Council on Contemporary Families ^[18] for her "Outstanding Coverage of Family Diversity"." ^[5]