|
|
|
|
|
|
| Early Sexualization |
| |
 |
Report of the APA Task Force: Sexualization of Girls by Rebecca L. Collins, Ph.D., et al. (2007) "This report examines and summarizes psychological theory, research, and clinical experience addressing the sexualization of girls.The report (a) defines sexualization; (b) examines the prevalence and provides examples of sexualization in society and in cultural institutions, as well as interpersonally and intrapsychically; (c) evaluates the evidence suggesting that sexualization has negative consequences for girls and for the rest of society; and (d) describes positive alternatives that may help counteract the influence of sexualization." Excerpted from http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualizationsum.html. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
Early Sexualization: A Guide for Parents of Preteen Girls by Lilia Goldfarb (2006) "The early sexualization of girls is a phenomenon occuring as a part of society's present and pervasive cllimate of hypersexualization... Apart from its commercial aspect, sexuality is at the core of our identities,our relationships, our growth and well-being. Young girls and boys risk being short-changed if their perceptions of seduction, loving relationships and sexual relations are tainted by artificial and limited propositions. It is therefore essential that parents accompany their children on this voyage of discovery towards self-knowledge and self affirmation, making sure that the essential elements of human relationships- love, intimacy and self-respect -are given full measure." Excerpted from http://www.ydesfemmesmtl.org/documents/en_sexualization.pdf. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
| Masculinity, Bullying & Violence |
| |
 |
Supporting Boys' Resilience: A Dialogue by Allyson Pimentel, Ed.D. (2004) "To improve the lives of women and girls in our society, men’s and boys’ lives must change as well... A focus on boys is crucial. Boys—and the men that they become—are active participants in and gatekeepers of a rigid gender order that structures our lives, informs our public policy, and creates and defeats possibilities for boys and men, and for girls and women. Masculinity, as it is culturally constructed, puts forth a constricted, often destructive, version of boyhood and manhood that limits the full range of emotional and behavioral potential that boys inherently possess." Excerpted from http://www.ms.foundation.org/user-assets/PDF/Program/SUPPORTINGBOYS912.pdf. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
Understanding the Boy Code adapted from the book Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood by Dr. William Pollock
"As parents, caregivers, teachers and mentors of boys we all hope and want the best for the next generation of men. However, recent research has shown that boys are not being given the best, and as a result, are falling behind. How are we letting boys down? Unintentionally, we are fostering an idea of boyhood that represses boys’ emotional connections and their ability to be intimate. We have an expectation of appropriate behavior for boys that does not reflect the current needs of our society. To help our sons become whole, we must break the Boy Code." Excerpted from http://thomasdorrance.com/Documents/Understanding%20the%20Boy%20Code.doc. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
| Body Image & Eating Disorders |
| |
|
 |
School-based Overweight Prevention May Cut Risk of Eating Disorders Among Girls by Todd Datz and James Newton (2007) "Eating disorders among adolescent girls and boys can have substantial negative impact on their health and lead to dangerous weight-control behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or abusing laxatives or diet pills to control weight. The middle school age is a high risk time, especially for girls starting to engage in these dangerous weight-control behaviors that affect millions of Americans. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) set out to determine if an obesity prevention program called 5-2-1-Go! could reduce the risk of eating disorder symptoms and harmful weight-control behaviors in adolescents. Excerpted from http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom/Site1339/mainpageS1339P1sublevel338.html. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
NEDA Statistics: Eating Disorders and Their Precursors by National Eating Disorders Association (2005) "In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 25 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder (Crowther et al., 1992; Fairburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al., 1995). Because of the secretiveness and shame associated with eating disorders, many cases are probably not reported. In addition, many individuals struggle with body dissatisfaction and sub-clinical disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. For example, it has been shown that 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance (Smolak, 1996)." Excerpted from http://www.sc.edu/healthycarolina/pdf/facstaffstu/eatingdisorders/EatingDisorderStatistics.pdf. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
| Academic Underachievement |
| |
|
 |
Ladies or Loudies? Perceptions and Experiences of Black Girls in Classrooms by Edward W. Morris (2007) "Although much scholarship has focused on the schooling experiences of African American boys, this article demonstrates that African American girls encounter unique educational perceptions and obstacles. Black girls in a predominately minority school performed well academically, but educators often questioned their manners and behavior... This article advances theories of intersectionality by showing how race and class shape perceptions of femininity for Black girls, and how the encouragement of more traditionally feminine behavior could ultimately limit their academic potential." Excerpted from http://yas.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/38/4/490. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
| Children & Media - The New 'Super Parent' |
| |
|
 |
The Truth About Boys and Girls by Meredith F. Small, Ph.D. (2009) "Recent brain research seems to explain why 'boys will be boys' and 'girls will be girls.' Does this mean our kids are destined to play out gender roles, or do we ultimately have influence over their choices of toys, clothes and activities? Here’s the latest thinking, so you can decide on the best way to raise your child... When I found out that I was going to have a little girl, I did something that, frankly, is a little embarrassing given my profession. I ran out to buy a frilly dress with matching hat and booties." Excerpted from
http://www.workingmother.com
|
| |
|
 |
Buy Buy Childhood: Helping Children Resist Lure of Media and Material Culture by Diane Levin, Ph.D. (2008) "Today’s children are growing up in a media-saturated environment. They average 35 hours per week of 'screen time,' during which they watch TV or videos, play with computer and video games, and use the Internet. Before entering kindergarten, the average child will have spent over 4,000 hours watching television alone— more time than doing anything but sleeping. All this time spent in front of a screen affects how children interact with and what they expect from their world." Excerpted from http://www.winnetkaalliance.org/pdf/SpringSummer08.pdf. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
Gender Stereotypes: An Analysis of Popular Films and TV by Dr. Stacey L. Smith (2008) "The following four diverse studies on gender and children’s entertainment prove the need for more females and more diverse portrayals of females and males in movie and television entertainment aimed at children. No one can argue that viewing again and again an imbalanced fictional "world” where females are often underrepresented or unmotivated can be good for young females or young males. Rather, the findings from all four studies point to the need for a shift: away from creating females as adornment, enticement, or with inclination to romance as the main or exclusive personality trait or motivator." Excerpted from http://www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org/pdfsrc.php. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
Women At The Box Office by Martha M. Lauzen, Ph.D. (2008) "Last year, the president of production at a major studio allegedly pronounced that the company would no longer produce films with female leads. He suggested that such films are bad box office bets. In response, Manohla Dargis, film critic for The New York Times wrote, 'it is hard to believe that anyone in a position of Hollywood power would be so stupid as to actually say what many in that town think: Women can’t direct. Women can’t open movies. Women are a niche' (May 4, 2008). Women @ the Box Office tests these beliefs about women and box office grosses." Excerpted from http://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/files/Women%20@%20Box%20Office.pdf. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
The Media Family by Victoria Rideout and Elizabeth Hamel (2006) "Today’s parents live in a world where media are an everchanging but increasingly important part of their family’s lives, including even their very youngest children... An increasing number of TV shows, videos, websites, software programs, video games, and interactive TV toys are designed specifically for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. One thing that hasn’t changed is that parents have a tough job — in fact, maybe tougher, often with both husband and wife working and juggling complex schedules, and with a growing number of single parents. In this environment, parents often turn to media as an important tool to help them manage their household and keep their kids entertained." Excerpted from http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/7500.pdf. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
Kaiser Foundation: Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds by Donald F. Roberts, Ph.D., Ulla G. Foehr, M.A., Victoria Rideout, M.A. (2005) "Few would deny that media play a central role in the lives of today’s children and adolescents. Their homes, indeed their bedrooms, are saturated with media. Many young people carry miniaturized, portable media with them wherever they go. They comprise the primary audience for popular music; they form important niche audiences for TV, movies, video games, and print media (each of these industries produces extensive content targeted primarily at kids); they typically are among the early adopters of personal computers (indeed, of most new media) and are a primary target of much of the content of the World Wide Web." Excerpted from the Kaiser Foundation. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
 |
Kaiser Foundation: Zero to Six: Electronic Media In The Lives Of Infants, Toddlers, And Preschoolers by Victoria J. Rideout, M.A., Elizabeth A. Vandewater, Ph.D., and Ellen A. Wartella, Ph.D. (2003) "According to their parents, children six and under spend an average of about two hours a day with screen media (1:58), about the same amount of time that they spend playing outside (2:01), and three times as much time as they spend reading or being read to (39 minutes). These figures are the averages among all children, factoring in the days they skip doing a particular activity, and includes those children who, because of their age or parental regulations, do not use some types of media at all." Excerpted from the Kaiser Foundation. All rights reserved. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
